Towards Advent Season

Preparing Young Catholics Towards The Coming

of Lord In The Light of The Advent Wreath
 Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit
upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your
voice each day,
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming
among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of
your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!'
Amen.
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 Introduction

As we have turned the page of liturgical year to Advent Season,

the Church asks every one of us to wait and to make preparation
for the coming of Christ. Some authors said that there is a
temptation during this season namely: A temptation to eliminate
Advent and move directly to Christmas. Why?

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 Introduction

Since the moment that the Christmas day draws near everyone
sets up their Christmas decoration, Christmas lights are turned on,
shopping malls have their Christmas sales; it is also a time when
party begins (eating, drinking, singing, gift-giving, chatting, and
etc.). Sadly we tend to forget the virtue of patience and the reason
for doing those things. Consequently, we aren’t able to prepare
ourselves for the coming of the Lord.

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 Introduction

The goal of this recollection is to encourage young

Catholics not to fall into this temptation: “the
temptation of eliminating the advent season”, and
to prepare them for the near “coming of Christ
Jesus” in the light of the Advent wreath.

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 Advent Season

What is Advent season?

The term Advent comes from the Latin word adventus
which is literally translated as “coming into place” or
“arrival”. The Catechism of the Catholic Church stresses
that “when the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent
each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the
Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the
Saviors first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire
for his second coming”(CCC 524).

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 Advent Season

What is Advent season?

Consequently, Advent Season has a twofold character:
1) a time of preparation and commemoration of the first
coming of God in Bethlehem, in which we ponder again
the great mystery of incarnation when our Lord humbled
Himself, taking on our humanity, and entered our time and
space to liberate us from sin;

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 Advent Season

What is Advent season?

Consequently, Advent Season has a twofold character:
2) a time of preparation for the promised second coming of
Jesus Christ: that our Lord will come again to judge the
living and the dead and that we must always be ready to
meet him face to face.

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 Advent Season

Every year we prepare ourselves and commemorate the first

arrival of Christ Jesus in Bethlehem. If that is the case, the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ happen in multiple times. He
arrives in our lives in different episode of our existence here on
earth. Sometimes, He comes when we experience pain and
suffering; during our success; Sadly, most of the time we don’t
notice and recognize his presence, like the Jews, specially the
Scribes and Pharisees during the time of Jesus.

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 Advent Season

When will it be?

This question is not new at all. Some authors claimed that
it is wrong to pose this question. It should not be a
question of “when” but a question of “how”. Since nobody
knows when it will be, even Jesus Christ the Son of God
doesn’t know it: “neither the angels nor the Son, but only
the Father knows” (Mt 24:36).

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 Advent Season

When will it be?

So the question should be changed. Instead of asking
“when will it be?”, we will change the question into “how
can I prepare myself to meet my Lord and my God face-
to-face?” because though we are not sure when this is
going to happen, we are certain that this will happen in a
time we do not know.

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 Advent Season

When will it be?

A pious way to answer this question, that will definitely help us
to be reminded in the preparation we should take, is the use of the
Advent wreath.

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A Brief History of The Advent
Wreath
 A Brief History of Advent Wreath

What is Advent Wreath?

The Advent wreath is an evergreen wreath with four
candles representing the four weeks of Advent. It is
generally displayed in homes, schools, and Parishes
throughout the advent season. Traditionally, it has 3
purple candles and 1 pink candle. Sometimes white
candle is added on the Advent wreath, which
represents the Christmas Day. The major color of
the advent wreath is purple. Purple represents a
time of preparation.

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 A Brief History of Advent Wreath

Its association on Pagan Practices

Some faithfuls or believers do not want to adopt this custom
because they attribute or associate its usage to a pagan practice
and therefore it should not be practiced by Christian believers.
Some historians report that the wreath has a pagan origin and was
practiced in some countries like Sweden, Norway, and Denmark.

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 A Brief History of Advent Wreath

Its association on Pagan Practices

It might have a pagan origin, but we cannot be sure of that
because during the 7th century, wreaths of evergreen were used in
Catholic baptismal ceremonies; in early medieval Europe, it was
also used in weddings being crowned to the spouses as a symbol
of their victory over the temptations of flesh. By the late Middle
Ages, garlands and wreaths were being used as Christmas décor
in much of Catholic Europe.

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 A Brief History of Advent Wreath

Modern Advent Wreath

Historians on the modern Advent wreath proposed that its origin
was in Germany, in the late 19th century. Protestant scholars point
to a Lutheran minister, who worked at a children’s mission in
Hamburg, as the initiator of the first official Advent wreath in
1839.

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 A Brief History of Advent Wreath

Modern Advent Wreath

In General, the usage of the Advent wreath is not
that old tradition in the Catholic Church. Its
practice is a new one. Before Vatican II, Advent
wreath was used strictly in homes and Schools
among Catholics. But after the many
reformations and innovations of the Vatican II, a
blessing of the wreath for the first Sunday of
Advent, which is said before the mass was
included in the Book of Blessings.

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 A Brief History of Advent Wreath

Modern Advent Wreath

The wreath is to be lit before the mass and blessed only on the
first Sunday of Advent. No prayers are said on the last three
Sundays. Consequently, the use of an Advent wreath in the
parishes was not a formal liturgical tradition. But nonetheless,
this pious custom practiced at home is a good reminder for us to
prepare ourselves in the twofold coming of the Savior.

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Symbolisms behind the Advent
Wreath
 Symbolisms behind the Advent Wreath

Advent Wreath’s Form

The form of the advent wreath is circle,
which symbolizes Jesus’ divinity. That means
Jesus Christ has neither beginning nor end.
Therefore, in Jesus Christ, there is a promised
eternity. This reminds us how our lives, here
and now, participate in the eternity of God’s
plan of Salvation.

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 Symbolisms behind the Advent Wreath

Advent Wreath’s being made from Evergreen

The advent wreath is made from
evergreen which symbolizes life, a
continuous life. Its needles (leaves)
are green and alive even as the world
grows dark and plants die back. This
reminds us how we hope to share
eternal life in the Kingdom of
Heaven.

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 Symbolisms behind the Advent Wreath

Advent Wreath’s Candle

(Gradual lighting of the Candle)
The first purple candle is lit on the First Sunday, another is lit on the second
Sunday. The pink or rose candle is lit on the third Sunday. It is also called the
“Gaudete Sunday”, Sunday of rejoicing for Christ’s coming is near. With the
lighting of the third candle, the light has won over darkness (three candles vs.
one candle that still remains unlit). The fourth candle is lit on the fourth
Sunday of Advent. If there is a fifth candle, that is white, that candle is lit on
the Christmas Day. The gradually increasing light symbolizes the approach of
the Birth of Christ, the light that breaks through the darkness of the World.

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 Symbolisms behind the Advent Wreath

Advent Wreath’s Candle

(Various Interpretation on the Advent Wreath’s Candle)
Various meanings have been assigned to the four candles of the Advent
Wreath. One interpretation said that candles represents 4000 years, the Biblical
time between Adam and Eve and the coming of Christ. In another
interpretation, the first candle symbolizes the Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac,
Jacob, and etc.); the second represents the prophets; the third represents John
the Baptist; the fourth represents the mother of Christ, Mary. These candles
have also been described as the Prophet’s Candle, the Bethlehem’s Candle, the
Shepherd’s Candle, and the Angel’s Candle. Indeed there are lots of
interpretation referring to the candles of the Advent Wreath.

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The Lights of the Advent
Wreath
 The Lights of the Advent Wreath

Be Watchful! Be Alert!
The 13th chapter of Mark’s Gospel says “be watchful and be alert.” It is
Jesus’ response to the question of the apostles concerning the end of
time – When will it happen? And what are the signs when it happen?
(cf. Mk 13:3-5). Jesus said to the apostles: “no one knows, neither the
angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mk 13:32). But
Jesus commanded them saying be watchful! Be alert!

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 The Lights of the Advent Wreath

Be Watchful! Be Alert!
Jesus’ command presupposes waiting. It’s waiting that makes it
difficult. Today, man’s attention span is very limited and he is easily
distracted. We can be certain of only one thing based on Jesus’
response, that we cannot be sure when is the end of time. It can be
today, on another day, next month, next year, or another year. Every
day is all possible day of the end of time. Nobody can presume to
know the day.

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 The Lights of the Advent Wreath

Be Watchful! Be Alert!
Since the coming of the Lord is uncertain, watchfulness became lesser,
especially in today’s context. Today we have forgotten the virtue of
patience. Nobody wants to wait. Everyone is impatient. As a result, we
have forgotten to be watchful and to be alert. Then it is followed by the
temptation of living a carefree life – living as if one does not care
about God and his neighbor. The world continues. We survive the
danger. But until when?

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 The Lights of the Advent Wreath

Be Watchful! Be Alert!
The judgement day will come on a day we don’t know. The Lord
might find us unprepared. And if He finds us unprepared, that will be
our damnation. Jesus said in other passage, that the Judgement day is
like a thief in the night. It does not mean that Jesus is like a thief. But
he used it as analogy in the coming judgement day. The underlying
meaning of the passage is- to be alert in the possible coming of the
thief in our houses.

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 The Lights of the Advent Wreath

Be Watchful! Be Alert!
There is a way to counter the traumatic breaking in of the thief in our
houses: keep watch and be alert. The uncertainty of the judgement day
should not make us forget to watch. But its uncertainty should make us
watchful all the more, all the time. Jesus said: “the one who perseveres
to the end will be saved” (Mk 13:13).

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 The Lights of the Advent Wreath

Be Watchful! Be Alert!
How can you say that you are alert/vigilant/ keen watcher?
In Marks Gospel, Jesus tell a parable of a man travelling abroad. The man
leaves his home, but before leaving he left his servants a command. He doesn’t
tell his servants when will come back but the master wants his servant to be
alert for his coming (cf. Mk 13: 34-36). God leave us his command – the 10
commandments. So we can say that we are alert, vigilant, and keen watcher if
we adhere to God’s commands. Doing things contrary to God’s commands
prove that we are not faithful servants because we’re not watching carefully.

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 The Lights of the Advent Wreath

Repent for the Forgiveness of Sins

The second light of the Advent wreath tells about repentance. By
repentance, turning away from sin, we can prepare ourselves for the
coming of the Lord. The Gospel of the second Sunday of advent talks
about the ministry of John the Baptist, who prepared the way of the
Lord by proclaiming the Baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of
sins. John made straight the Lord’s path in this way.

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 The Lights of the Advent Wreath

Repent for the Forgiveness of Sins

By undergoing the baptism of repentance of John the Baptist, the
penitents should turn away from their evil deeds and they are
asked to produce good fruits as evidence of their repentance. But
our baptism today, is different from the baptism of John the
Baptist, since our baptism is a baptism of the Holy Spirit, while
the baptism of John is of water, of preparation or purification.

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 The Lights of the Advent Wreath

Repent for the Forgiveness of Sins

Nonetheless, the message is clear. Repent because the coming of the
Lord is near. Ask forgiveness to the Lord for the sins you have done.
But asking forgiveness is difficult because it requires a recognition of
one’s own sin and what blinds us in recognizing our sins is pride. We
don’t want to say sorry because it manifests that we are weak; that we
are wrong.

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 The Lights of the Advent Wreath

Repent for the Forgiveness of Sins

But in preparing ourselves for the coming of the Lord, we should set
aside this pride, throw it away. Ask sorry for the wrong you have done.
Embrace your weakness and ask the Lord for strength. As St. Paul
said: “it is in weakness that I am are strong” (cf. 2 Cor 12:10). If we
recognize our weakness, alongside with it is our recognition that we
are sinner.

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 The Lights of the Advent Wreath

Repent for the Forgiveness of Sins

Recognizing our weakness makes us realize that we are nothing, and
that we are in dire need of God in our life. But first of all it begins
from the inside, with the realization that we have done something
wrong to God and to our neighbor. Sin is always separation from God.
When we sin we go away from Him.

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 The Lights of the Advent Wreath

Repent for the Forgiveness of Sins

Recognizing one’s own sin is a sign of humility. It is a virtue in contrast to
pride. But today our understanding of humility is distorted. Sometimes we hear
some exclaiming that he/she is humble. It is not humility, rather it is pride
clothed in disguise. Sometimes humility is associated with being shy and
timid, but it is not. Humility comes from the word humus which means soil
which is located and collected on the ground. Therefore, being humble does
not exclaim that they are, or being shy or timid. Humility means to recognize
the truth that you are nothing like a soil. And it is God who made you
something.

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 The Lights of the Advent Wreath

Repent for the Forgiveness of Sins

Asking forgiveness is an act of a Mature Christian. A mature Christian
recognizes himself/herself as a sinner. He/she knows that he/she is vulnerable
from the temptation of the devil and consequently falls into sin. But a Mature
Christian, though a sinner, believe that God, with his generous love and
compassion, will save and redeem him/her from the pit of damnation, only if
he/she asked for it. Therefore, to be saved from damnation, it requires a sincere
personal desire. If he/she does not ask for it, then he/she will be damned. But if
he ask for it with his/her sincere personal desire God will grant it to him/her.

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 The Lights of the Advent Wreath

Rejoice, Witnesses of Light

The third light of the advent wreath reminds us to be prepared as witnesses of
light and rejoice in doing so. Like what St. John the Baptist did: “He came for
testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him” (Jn
1:7). He was not claiming that he is that light rather, he was telling that the
One who is coming after him is the true light who will enlighten everyone.
John said: “The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he
existed before me.”(Jn 1:15). In other passage John said that he is not worthy
to untie the sandal strap of the one who is coming after him (cf. Jn 1:27). This
is humility too.

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 The Lights of the Advent Wreath

Rejoice, Witnesses of Light

Unlike John the Baptist, we tend to do the complete opposite of what John did.
Instead of claiming that we are not the light, we always tend to say that we are.
It is called Self-promotion. We want to be recognized; to be praised by others.
We want others to flatter us and to say good things about us. Forgetting that we
are not the light. This is not how to become witnesses of light. To become
witnesses of light, one should recognize first that he/she is nothing compared
to the true light, like what St. John the Baptist did.

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 The Lights of the Advent Wreath

Rejoice, Witnesses of Light

St. John testified that the one who is coming after him is Jesus Christ.
Consequently, to be a witnesses of light is to be witnesses of Christ.
Being a witnesses of Christ, one should transmit his/her faith in words
and deeds. Therefore it is not supposed to be hidden, rather it should
be revealed.

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 The Lights of the Advent Wreath

Rejoice, Witnesses of Light

By virtue of baptism, all have the mission to act as Christ witnesses. Everyone
who is baptized is called to make present Jesus in the world. Everyone is urged
to be a living evidence/testimony of Christ and everyone is asked to rejoice in
doing it. It is like spreading light to the world. Extend that light you have
received to others, so that they may also be enlightened. Show to others that
you are preparing for the coming of the Lord, so that others will also do the
preparation.

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 The Lights of the Advent Wreath

Rejoice, Witnesses of Light

The witnesses of light promote the truth and abhor lies. Truth which is
based on reality and the commands of God. They do not utter deceit
and they do not do actions contrary to the commands of God, because
lies are the works of the children of darkness.

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 The Lights of the Advent Wreath

Rejoice, Witnesses of Light

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church the greatest expression of
promoting the truth is Martyrdom (cf. CCC 2473). Martyr, comes from the
Greek word which means “witness”, are persons who bear witness to the truth
even up to death. John the Baptist was killed for telling the truth about the
sinful acts of King Herod with Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip.
Herodias harbored a grudge against John and wanted him to be killed. When
she got her opportunity, she immediately asked the head of John the Baptist
(cf. Mk 6:17-29). Some don’t want to hear the truth. As a result, in promoting
the truth others might hate us, scorn and mock us, persecute us in order to
cover the truth.

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 The Lights of the Advent Wreath

Rejoice, Witnesses of Light

Despite of these negative consequences, the light of the candle reminds us to
be rejoice. Even if other people hate us, rejoice. Even we are scorned and
mocked, rejoice. Even we are persecuted, rejoice. Our Lord Jesus Christ never
promised that it will be easy, he said: “if they have persecuted me they will
also persecute you” (Jn 15:20). But he also said that we are blessed when
others insult us, persecute us, and utter every kind of evil against us because of
Jesus (cf. Mt 5:11). Therefore, we should stand firm being a witnesses of light.
Lean yourself on a rock foundation.

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 The Lights of the Advent Wreath

Be Obedient like Mama Mary

The Gospel of the 4th Sunday of Advent is about the obedience of the Blessed
Virgin Mary to the Father. In a nutshell, the Angel Gabriel appeared and
announced to her that she will bear the only begotten Son of God – Jesus. Fiat
volutas tua (be it done to me according to your will), was Mary’s response to
the announcement of the angel. It is her “yes” to the will of the Father. An
obedience that we should also imitate. Our interpretation to the 4 th light of the
advent wreath will be based on the obedience which performed by the Blessed
Virgin Mary.

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 The Lights of the Advent Wreath

Be Obedient like Mama Mary

Obedience is difficult for man because he doesn’t want to be controlled; he
doesn’t want to listen. Man wants to be independent, free from the commands
of other. He wants to be in total control of his own life. As a result, he starts to
question others authority. Specially, in your age since it is a stage of life when
you start to develop the sense of autonomy and others, to the extreme, develop
irregular behaviours such as oppositional personality, defiant behavior, violent
emotions, doubts, hesitation, and you tend to become very sensitive to the
criticisms of others.

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 The Lights of the Advent Wreath

Be Obedient like Mama Mary

There is nothing wrong in asking and questioning. It is part of being a man.
When we encounter things we do not know, we ask question “what is it?” But
our mind is not contented with that. Our mind seeks for more and therefore
asks further questions like “why?” and “how?”

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 The Lights of the Advent Wreath

Be Obedient like Mama Mary

Just like the what the Blessed Virgin Mary did when the angel Gabriel
appeared to her, she asked “how can it be?” She asked question but still
believed in God, that nothing is impossible with God. She accepted the will of
the Father wholeheartedly, despite the question in her mind. We are also urged
to do the same, to act accordingly to the will of the Father, to obey his
commandments.

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 The Lights of the Advent Wreath

Be Obedient like Mama Mary

As children of our parents, God commanded us to honor our parents (cf. Ex
20:12). As children, we are directed to give our parents respect for the gift of
life, for their love; and for their work. According to the Catechism of the
Catholic, this kind of respect towards our parents is shown through being true,
docile and obedient to them (cf. CCC 2216). We are respecting our parents if
we let our parents teach us lessons about life, seek their advice and accept their
just admonition; if we listen and obey to their do’s and don’ts.

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 The Lights of the Advent Wreath

Be Obedient like Mama Mary

As St. Paul said: “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases
the Lord (cf. Col 3:20). If it pleases the Lord, then by giving or showing that
we respect our parents we are able to prepare ourselves for the coming of the
Lord. This is the best thing you can do, at your age now, in preparing
yourselves for that second and final encounter with our Lord and King, Jesus
Christ.

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 The Lights of the Advent Wreath

Be Obedient like Mama Mary

In addition, CCC adds that our respect to our parents should extend to our
teachers and all to whom our parents have entrusted us. (cf. CCC 2217). But if
a child is convinced in conscience that it would be morally wrong to obey a
particular order, he/she must not do so. Nonetheless, we should respect and
obey those persons who gave us reasonable directions. No normal and God-
fearing parents will give sinful order to their children.

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 Conclusion

❄ Advent Wreath in itself does not make us ready for the face-to-
face encounter with the Lord. Advent wreath helps us for that
encounter because it reminds us of the preparation we should
take.
❄ Be Watchful and Alert. The uncertainty of the judgement day
should not make us forget to watch. But its uncertainty should
make us watchful all the more.
❄ Repent for the Forgiveness of Sins. Ask forgiveness to the
Lord for the sins you have done with sincere personal desire.

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 Conclusion

❄ Rejoice, Witnesses of Light. To become witnesses of light,

one should recognize first that he/she is nothing compared to
the true light. As witnesses of light, rejoice even in the midst
of persecution.
❄ Be Obedient Like Mary. Imitate the obedience of Mary
towards the will of the Father.

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 Closing Prayer

God of Love,
Your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to
us.
He is a sign of your love.
Help us walk in that love during the
weeks of Advent,
As we wait and prepare for his coming.
We pray in the name of Jesus, our
Savior.
Amen.

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