What Is Advent 2017? History, Facts And Quotes About Month Before Christmas

Advent is a four week-long tradition of the Roman Catholic Church that marks the beginning of the Christmas season.

It is a time for Christians to spiritually prepare for the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ.

This year, the Church's liturgical year begins on Dec. 3. The word “Advent” originates from "ad-venire" in Latin and means "to come to."

It is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas, according to the United States Conference Of Catholic Bishops.

Here are some of the facts regarding Advent 2017:

1) Every Sunday in advent has a different theme — the theme of “faithfulness” marks the first Sunday, which is associated with the arrival of Jesus Christ; the second and third week represent “hope” and “joy” respectively. The fourth and final Sunday, that leads up to the birth anniversary of Christ, is characterized by “love,” Win Calendar reported.

2) Candles and wreaths are used to celebrate the holy month. They are either suspended from the ceiling of the church or decorated on the table. Wreathes are made out of evergreen tree branches holding four candles – three purple ones for the first three Sundays and a pink one for the final Sunday. On the day of Christmas, a white candle, symbolizing Christ, is lit at the center of a wreath.

3) The final days of Advent — from Dec. 17 to 24 — is focused primarily on preparations for the celebration of the Nativity of the Lord.

4) Children are often seen making decorative ornaments during this period which they will put up around the church or their houses on Christmas. Many of these ornaments represent symbols in Christianity, like doves and fish.

5) Apart from celebration, Advent is also considered a time for penitence. It is a time for Christians to reflect on how the world was before Christ arrived, in order to understand the true meaning of Christmas.

Below are some enlightening quotes about the Catholic event from Goodreads that are aimed at making one understand the occasion of Advent better:

“For outlandish creatures like us, on our way to a heart, a brain, and courage, Bethlehem is not the end of our journey but only the beginning - not home but the place through which we must pass if ever we are to reach home at last.” ― Frederick Buechner, “The Magnificent Defeat.”

“At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God's own love and concern.” ― Mother Teresa, “Love: A Fruit Always in Season.”

“The only people who soul can truly magnify the Lord are...people who acknowledge their lowly estate and are overwhelmed by the condescension of the magnificent God.” ― John Piper, “Good News of Great Joy: Daily Readings for Advent.”

“Into this world, this demented inn in which there is absolutely no room for him at all, Christ comes uninvited.” ― Thomas Merton.

“The Kingdom of God is the already but not yet.” ― R. Alan Woods, “The Journey Is The Destination: A Photo Journal.”