O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
— Meredith Drescher, Director of Religious Education

Advent, derived from the Latin adventus, means “coming.” Our Catholic liturgical year begins with a time of preparation, awaiting the arrival of Christ our King. The season is twofold. We prepare for the arrival of our Savior’s first coming, at his birth. We also prepare for that time when Christ will come again. As Hebrews 9:28 proclaims, “So also Christ, offered once to take away the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.”

This time of preparation is rich with tradition and symbolism, such as the Advent wreath and Jesse Tree. The Advent wreath’s circular shape represents God’s everlasting love and the eternal life we have through Him. Evergreens on the wreath symbolize eternal life in the midst of winter’s cold and bleakness. In anticipation of Christ bringing Light to the world, we light one candle each Sunday leading up to Christmas, beginning  today. The wreath’s four candles symbolize hope, peace, joy, and love.

Another traditional way of preparing for the birth of  the Christ child is to decorate a Jesse Tree. The Jesse tree recounts the lineage of Jesus, from Creation to His birth. During Advent, families read the scriptures of God’s promises and faithfulness, and hang ornaments on the Jesse Tree. These readings and ornaments remind us of God’s love, as noted in the Creation, Noah’s ark, Joseph and the coat of many colors, David and Goliath, John the Baptist, Mary and Joseph, and Jesus’ birth.

Renew your faith with us as we embrace the hope, peace, joy, and love of God’s promises. Eternal life has come in the form of a child, and we look forward to when Christ our King will come to reign again!

Want to celebrate these symbolic Advent traditions at home?
Here's how to make an Advent wreath

Here's how to make a Jesse Tree 

Mark Your Calendar for Advent and Christmas Happenings