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Advent is a time of waiting and expectation as we prepare for the coming of
Jesus. The word Advent comes from the Latin word “adventus” which
means “a coming.” Advent is a time to prepare for 3 comings of Christ – the
past, the present and the future. Often the primary focus is on the past
event, the birth in Bethlehem. We must also prepare for that future day
when Jesus will come again and for the present moment when He comes into our
lives. The environment reflects the emptiness of life as the Chosen people
awaited the coming of the Messiah. It also represents how empty our lives
would be without that coming. The birth of Jesus fills that emptiness and
at Christmas our Church environment will be transformed into trees of life
and flowers of color. The Advent wreath also reminds us of this time of
waiting for the true light, Jesus Christ, to come into the world. Each week
another candle is lit. It is a movement from emptiness and darkness toward
fullness and light. The four colors in the Church banners represent the
four weeks of Advent. The two different shades of purple remind us this is
a season of preparation and penance. The pink or rose color represents the
Third Sunday of Advent called “Guadate Sunday” or “Joyful Sunday,” as we
joyfully approach the coming birth. The dark blue represents the Fourth
Sunday of Advent and the significance of Mary in this world-changing event.
Blue is also the color of hope. May the environment assist your Advent
preparation.
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