The ABC of Advent
(Jer.33:14-16; Thess.3:12-4:2; Lk.21:25-28, 34-36)
Today we begin a brand-new liturgical Year C, the Year of the Gospel of Luke, and once again it starts with Advent. Let’s now explore what the season of Advent is all about, using the letters A to L of the alphabet. (Next week we’ll cover M to Z).
A is for Advent, the liturgical season that begins every Church year. The word ‘Advent’ comes from the Latin adventus, meaning ‘coming,’ and it typically lasts for four weeks before Christmas. It’s a time of preparing, anticipating and reflecting on the threefold coming of Christ: his birth in Bethlehem at Christmas, his Second Coming at the end of all time, and in between, when he comes to us in our day-to-day lives.
B is for the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is central to Advent. She is the simple Jewish girl who humbly and courageously accepted God’s invitation to become the Mother of Jesus. In Advent, we too are invited to help bring Jesus into the world.
C is for the Candles in our Advent wreath. There are five of them, all symbolising the light of Christ, and one is lit each week. The first (purple) candle signifies our hope for the Messiah’s coming. The second (purple) candle reflects the peace that only Christ can bring. The third (pink) candle represents our joy in knowing that Jesus is coming. The fourth (purple) candle symbolises the love God has for us. And the final (white) candle, which is lit on Christmas Day, represents Jesus himself.
D is for the Decision we must all make to find and follow Jesus, and the Determination we need to keep doing so faithfully.
E is for Expectation, because Advent is a time of joyful expectation. In his writings, St. Bernard of Clairvaux encourages us to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ in a spirit of anticipation and longing, just as the ancient Israelites waited for the Messiah all those years ago.
But E is also for Eternity, because we know the earth is not our final home, and it’s important that we prepare ourselves for our real home in heaven.
F is for Faith, because Advent is a good time to strengthen our faith through prayer, reflection and community. Here, St. Therese of Lisieux teaches us that faith can be both simple and profound. In her ‘Little Way,’ she encourages us to always be loving towards each other, even in tiny little ways, and to always trust in God’s love and mercy.
G is for St. Gregory the Great, who was an important figure in the early Church. He emphasised the importance of the liturgical seasons, including Advent. His teachings on preparation and prayer remind us to engage deeply with the spiritual practices of the season.
H is for Hope, which is a central theme of Advent, for it reflects our waiting for Christ’s coming. In his writings, St. Augustine calls hope a theological virtue, and he encourages us to always trust in God’s promises, especially in times of uncertainty and waiting.
I is for the Incarnation, the mystery of God becoming man in Jesus. This is fundamental to Advent, because Christmas is all about God becoming one of us. St. Athanasius often talked about this mystery, and emphasised how important it is for our salvation.
J is for Jesus, who is the Son of God and the very heart of Advent. He is the source of all life and the One we all yearn for, even when we don’t know it.
But J is also for Joy, which Jesus brings and which we celebrate on Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent. It gives us joy to know that Jesus is coming to save us. St. Francis of Assisi was filled with this joy, and he spent his life spreading the Gospel and celebrating God’s creation.
K is for Kindness, which is a reflection of Christ’s love. St. Vincent de Paul modelled this kindness by spending his life serving the poor and marginalised. As Christmas approaches, we all need to be just as kind. Why?
It’s because L is for Love, which is exactly what Advent is all about. God loves each of us unconditionally, and that’s why Jesus came to live among us. He wants to tell us personally how much he loves us.
And that’s why he is coming again.
Advent, then, is the perfect time for us to reflect on our own lives: are we as kind, loving and forgiving as we need to be? Are we ready to receive Jesus when he comes?
It’s only by living lives of love that we will truly be prepared to receive Jesus, who is love itself.
(Next week we will explore Advent through the letters M – Z.)