“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”

Advent marks the start of the Church's liturgical year and is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the solemn and holy celebration of Christmas. This is a period of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and to the anniversary of Our Lord’s birth on Christmas. From the earliest days of the Church, people have been fascinated by Jesus’ promise to come back. But the scripture readings during Advent tell us not to waste our time with predictions as this is not about speculation.

Devotions including the Advent wreath, remind us of the meaning of the season. Like Lent, the liturgical color for Advent is purple since both are seasons that prepare us for great feast days. Advent also includes an element of penance in the sense of preparing, quieting, and disciplining our hearts for the full joy of Christmas.

-c.f. USCCB What is Advent