This Sunday marks the beginning of Advent in our Catholic Church. The word ‘Advent' is from the Latin ‘Adventus,' which means ‘coming.' Advent is the beginning of a new liturgical year (in the Western churches), and begins from the fourth Sunday before Christmas, until the Nativity of Our Lord is celebrated - Christmas. The liturgical color for this season is purple.

Like Lent, Advent is a preparatory season. It has significance because it is a season of looking forward and waiting for something greater; both for the annual celebration of the event of Christ's birth, and for the time when Christ will come again.

Each Sunday in Advent a candle is lit on an Advent Wreath, reminding us that Christmas is coming nearer. The first candle is called the Prophet’s candle. It reminds us of the people who spoke God’s word for hundreds of years before Jesus was born. They told the people to prepare for the Lord, saying:

“Rejoice, rejoice, people of Zion! Shout for joy, you people of Jerusalem! Look your king is coming to you! The Lord says, “Your king will make peace among nations; he will rule from sea to sea.” Zechariah 9: 9-10

Another tradition in the Catholic Church is that of the Jesse Tree. It is a representation of Jesus’ family tree, all the way back to Jesse – the father of David. The tree image is taken from Scripture where it is written;

“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse.” Isaiah 11:1

Next week we will have a Jesse Tree in the foyer of the front office. Come and have a look and find the symbols which represent different members of Jesus’ family.