Advent 2024 Preview

Thanksgiving has come and gone. Now, there will be an all-out blitz for everyone to shop for gifts on everyone’s list. Thankfully, there is a season on the liturgical calendar that can help us slow down and understand the true meaning of Christmas. That season is Advent.

While the commercialized Christmas world has been celebrating since the end of October, Catholics and Christians recognized Advent as an important liturgical season.

Advent comes from the Latin adventus, which means “coming.” It may be easy to fast-forward from Thanksgiving to Christmas, but we all know it’s not right. What comes in between is a period of preparation.

Many of us prepare for Christmas by hosting parties for co-workers, organizations, friends, and family. These parties can serve as a way of preparing for the event through head counts, food, gifts, and more.

The season of Advent is a time to prepare spiritually for Jesus's coming. St. John Paul reminds us that Advent is when we “await an event which occurs in history and at the same time transcends it.”

During the four weeks of Advent, we reflect on the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. In order to understand these themes, we must look to the saints and holy men and women who have reminded us of the spiritual meaning behind the themes.

Hope

Pope Benedict XVI reminds us, “It is the beautiful task of Advent to awaken in all of us memories of goodness and thus to open doors of hope.”

Hope is a two-way street. We give hope to those who live in despair. We even look for it from those who can inspire us to live out our faith.

Peace

After the “Our Father” during Mass, the priest quotes a line from the Gospel of John. “Peace I leave you, my peace I give you”. Christ giuves us his peace, so we can chare it with others. He wants us to be instruments of his peace by not just ending quarrels but to make amends with those who persecute, mock, and even attack us becuase of our faithful witness. 

Joy

Many saints of the church loved God because they placed everything in Jesus who filled their hearts with joy. St. Teresa of Calcutta reminds us, “Joy is the net of love by which you can catch souls.” We too can use that joy to catch others who are going through

Love

The final theme doesn’t need much discussion. St. Ignatius of Loyola tells us, “Love is shown more in deeds than in words.” If we love someone, it’s time to put it into action. It may be easy to say that we love someone, but we need to prove it.

Look at the example of love Christ gave us. It can be found on the crucifix.

St. Andrew Novena

There is a common spiritual practice that many Catholics that part that begins on November 30th and it’s known as the Christmas Novena.

The prayer is recited by the faithful fifteen times a day from the feast of St. Andrew until Christmas Eve. This was a game-changer for me one year, and it can be one for every Catholic that prays it for many intentions close to my heart. Learn more here. 

Some Catholic sites are launching advent challenges.

Hallow

The popular and No.1 prayer app will be having its Advent challenge launching on December 2nd. Journey with Lauren Daigle, Jonathan Roumie, and others to Bethlehem.

Busted Halo Instagram Challenge

Busted Halo will have an Advent challenge on Instagram. Follow their theme of the day From December 1st to December 25th by posting a picture corresponding to the theme.

Remember, the goal of Advent, as put by Pope Francis, is “a journey to Bethlehem.” May we all humbly journey to Bethlehem together with contrite hearts.

It all begins on December 1st.

A Blessed Advent Journey to all