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Guide to Common Advent Devotions and Customs
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Over the years, Christians have developed a variety of devotions and symbols to help them observe the Advent season. Each in its own way helps visualize the Advent experience of waiting and watching, listening and preparing for the celebration of Jesus's birth at Christmas, for the advent of Christ's presence in our daily lives, and for the Lord's return at the end of time. In his Angelus message for the first Sunday of Advent in 2020, Pope Francis reminded us that " Advent…is a time of expectation and a time of hope." Advent “reminds us that God is present in history to lead it to its ultimate goal and to lead us to its fullness, which is the Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ. God is…the 'God-with-us', God is not distant…. God walks beside us to support us…. He accompanies us through the events of our lives to help us discover the meaning of the journey, the meaning of everyday life [and] to give us courage when we are under duress or when we suffer."
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.THE ADVENT WREATH is one of the most recognized Advent symbols and a common Advent devotion. It consists of a horizontal wreath of evergreens into which four candles are placed -- three purple candles (a sign of royalty) and one pink candle (a sign of joy). The candles are lit in succession for each week of Advent. The circle of evergreens represent God's never-ending love for humankind; the candles symbolize the long years during which the Hebrew people waited for the promised Messiah who, when he arrived, enlightened a world made dark by human ignorance and sin with the light of God's love and forgiveness. The first two purple candles, lit during the first two weeks of Advent, represent hope and faith; the pink candle, lit during the third week, symbolizes joy; the third purple candle, lit during the last week of Advent, symbolizes peace -- all four representing the gifts which the Son of God's Incarnation bring to human kind.
Lighting of the candles is accompanied by prayers and scripture readings which also remind us that the fullness of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ grows gradually, both in ourselves and in a world still waiting for the final expression of God's eternal kingdom of peace and justice. The Advent wreath is believed to have originated among German Lutherans in the sixteenth century, but did not become popular there until the mid-nineteenth century; it was gradually adopted by other Christian denominations, and spread to the United States in the 1930s.
Learn More:> Advent Wreath--a Popular Symbol
> What Does the Advent Wreath Symbolize?
> Advent Wreath Prayer
> Prayers for Lighting the Advent Wreath Candles
> Blessing for an Advent wreath• • •
THE JESSE TREE is a presentation of Jesus's family tree, based on accounts of Jesus's genealogy contained in the Gospels of Matthew (chapter 1) and Luke (chapter 3). The Gospels depict Jesus Christ as a royal descendant of King David and David's father, Jesse (a lineage dating back through Hebrew history to Adam and Abraham) and the fulfilment of Isaiah's prophecy: "...[A] shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, a spirit of wisdom and of understanding...." (11.1-2). Over the centuries, Christians depicted this genealogical history in almost every form of art, including illuminated manuscripts, paintings, stone carving, and stained glass.
Today, the devotion consists of prayers and scripture readings which accompany paper ornaments symbolizing people or events in Hebrew history leading up to the birth of Jesus. It is a reminder of the long history of salvation, climaxing in the Incarnation of Jesus Christ and culminating at the end of time. Reflecting on the geneology of Jesus, Pope Francis has said, reminds us that “there is no salvation without history.” “Our salvation unfolds in history," the pope said. "If this isn’t clear to us, we will never understand Christmas [or] the mystery of the Incarnation of the Word” (homily Dec. 18, 2014).
Learn More:> The Jesse Tree
> Jesse Tree Reflections
> Daily Jesse Tree Reflections
> The Geneology of Jesus
> Why We Read the Geneology of Jesus
> Why Jesus' Geneology is Actually Amazing--or Shocking
> The Geneology of Jesus--Lights and Shadows in His Past
> How Jesus Fulfilled Jewish Hopes for a Messiah
> And He Is Named (audio reflection)
> The Jesse Tree--Explaining the Old Testament to Children• • •
ADVENT CALENDARS in a variety of formats are used to count down the days of Advent leading up to Christmas. Commercial Advent Calendars typically have small windows which can be opened each day. Behind the window one finds a small picture, quotation or prayer related to the coming feast of Christ's birth, concluding with a slightly larger window on December 24 depicting the manger in Bethlehem. Annual Advent Calendars begin with the first day of Advent for the current year; reusable calendars usually begin on December 1. Newer Advent Calendars may have boxes or drawers which contain small images or pieces of candy. With the arrival of social media, a variety of interactive Advent Calendars are also available online.
Advent Calendars were developed to help children participate more fully in the spirit of waiting and expectation which characterize the Advent season. Variations on the traditional Advent Calendar include homemade calendars, to which are attached various images or symbols for each day; paper Advent chains which include short prayers, scripture sayings or good deeds for each day; Advent jars with small slips of paper containing prayers, intentions or desired practices for each day of Advent; and family customs such as the "Advent Angel", who leaves a small treat or reminder of the coming feast each day during Advent.
Learn More:
> History and Sudden Popularity of Advent Calendars• • •
LAS POSADAS is an Advent devotion common among Mexican and Latino Christians. Although customs vary, generally on each of the nine evenings before Christmas Eve members of local families gather together, sing traditional villancicos (Spanish Christmas hymns), and are lead by two members dressed as Mary and Joseph to designated homes ("inns") where they seek shelter as the original holy couple did on their arrival in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago. In some cases, they are turned away several times each night before they are finally welcomed at one home, where the community enters for prayer and a celebration.
The name "posadas" derives from a Spanish word for lodging; it reminds us not only of Mary and Joseph's search for lodging, but also of Jesus' desire to enter into our lives today. The devotion has its roots in religious plays common in Europe during the Middle Ages; it has been popular in Mexico for at least 400 years and is believed to have been introduced to the indigenous population by Franciscan missionaries from Spain. The devotion is widespread among both Catholic and Protestant communities in Mexico and Latin America and among Hispanic immigrants in the United States.
Learn More:> Las Posadas--A Mexican Christmas Tradition
> How the Posada originated
> A Mexican Tradition That Keeps Christ in Christmas
> Welcoming the Stranger
> How to Celebrate Las Posadas
> Celebrating Las Posadas
> Virtual Posada• • •
THE NATIVITY SCENE. According to tradition, St. Francis of Assisi created the first living nativity scene in 1223 in a cave near Greccio, in central Italy. In an effort to dramatize the reality of the Incarnation and focus people's attention on the birth of Jesus, Francis recreated the nativity story described in Matthew and Luke's Gospels with real people and animals. The presentation was repeated in subsequent years and eventually spread to Catholic churches throughout Europe. Over time, the living actors and animals were replaced by statues and moved inside the church itself, where they were often surrounded with elaborate scenery more typical of Renaissance Europe than ancient Palestine. By the end of the nineteenth century such nativity scenes of various sizes (also called cribs, creches or mangers) were popular in homes and public places as well as churches.
Today many families have an heirloom nativity set which is passed down from generation to generation and displayed each year during the later weeks of Advent. Pope Francis has called the nativity scene "a living Gospel rising up from the pages of sacred Scripture;" it is, the Pope said, "a simple and joyful proclamation of the mystery of the Incarnation" which "never ceases to arouse amazement and wonder."Learn More:• • •> Nativity Scenes--More Than Meets the Eye
> 12 Nativity Scenes from Around the World
> Rediscover Wonder Through the Nativity Scene
> Ten Reasons to Love the Crib
> Blessing for the Nativity Scene
> Nativity Scenes and the Evolution of Christianity
> Vatican will honor 800th anniversary of the first nativity scene
THE CHRISTMAS TREE may be derived from the "tree of paradise" which played a role in medieval religious plays; it is said to have been adapted by Martin Luther at the time of the Reformation in the 16th century. The custom of decorating a tree was popular among Lutheran Christians in the Baltic countries and Germany from the eighteenth century on and spread to Britain during the Victorian era. The tradition was introduced in the Americas by Hessian troops stationed in Canada during the late 1700s. Trees were traditionally decorated with paper roses, fruit and sweetmeats as well as various forms of garland and candles; in more modern times the decorations included delicate glass ornaments and strings of electric lights.
The decorated tree is a particularly festive symbol of God's presence in the world, what St. Pope John Paul II called "an ancient tradition that exalts the value of life." "The message of the Christmas tree, John Paul said, "is that life stays 'evergreen' if we make a gift of it: not so much of material things, but of life itself -- in friendship and sincere affection, in fraternal help and forgiveness, in time shared and reciprocal listening."Although not strictly an Advent custom, Christmas trees are often placed in homes during the weeks of Advent. Even the Vatican dedicates and lights its outdoor tree in early December.
Learn More> Pope Francis's explanation about the meaning of the Christmas tree
> Christmas tree renews and magifies life
> Blessing for a Christmas Tree• • •
• • •
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS. No one knows exactly when or why Christians began celebrating Christmas in December, but the custom was fairly common in the western church by the fourth century. The designated date was December 25, which coincided with the Roman feast of the sun-god Emesa and with the winter solstice, the shortest and darkest day in the northern hemisphere. Inhabitants of northern Europe were in the habit of celebrating with large bonfires, festive gatherings and meals intended to offset the cold and the darkness of the season. Christians adapted these traditions to their celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, whom they recognized as "the Light of the World" (cf. John 8.12 and 9.5). Ever since, displays of light have been incorporated into Christmas customs originating in Europe.
In the United States, the Edison Electric Light Company produced the first known string of electric Christmas lights in 1882 and electric lights were common in commercial Christmas displays by the turn of the century. It took another quarter of a century before electric Christmas lights were reasonable enough for the average home, but they now commonly adorn both the exterior and interior of homes in the developed world. Like the bonfires of old, Christmas lights remind us, as Pope Francis has said, "that Jesus is the Light of the World. He is the light of the Spirit that drives away the darkness of hostility and makes room for forgiveness."
THE O-ANTIPHONS. An antiphon is a short phrase recited or chanted before and after reading a Psalm or Canticle. The seven "O-Antiphons," have been in common use among Christians from at least the eighth century; they have traditionally been used at Evening Prayer in the Church's Liturgy of the Hours during the final days of Advent (December 17-23). Each of the antiphons begin with "O", followed by an image or title given by the Jewish people to the future Messiah: "O Wisdom of God", "O Leader of Israel", "O Root of Jesse", "O Key of David", "O Radiant Dawn", "O King of All Nations", "O Emmanuel." The images and titles drawn from the Hebrew scriptures remind Christians that for them Jewish hopes for a Messiah are fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Christians readily recognize Jesus as Emmanuel --"God-with-us"-- but often struggle to recognize his presence among us as the wisdom who creates and orders the universe ... the lawgiver who establishes righteousness throughout the land ... the redeemer who has overcome death and rescued creation from sin ... the great king who is drawing all into the Kingdom of love.
St. Pope John Paul II said the ancient O-Antiphons sum up the hopes of all humankind; these prayers, with their "exquisite poetical titles," the Pope said, "express our basic need for peace and salvation, a need that humanity can only find fully...satisfied in God made man."
Learn More:• • •
> The O-Antiphons in Advent
> O-Antiphon Reflections
> The Wonder and Surprise of the O-Antiphons
> The O-Antiphons and the Production of Women's Desire (Reflections by Therese Berger)
> The O-Antiphons (Reflections by Robin Gibbons)
> The O-Antiphons (Reflections by Fr. Jacob Bertrand Janczyk OP)
> Presentation of the O-Antiphons Performed by the Monks of St. John Abbey
> Pray the O-Antiphons (e-prayer book)
> The Beauty and Power of the O-Antiphons
> The O-Antiphons--A Soothing Balm for Trauma
> How the O-Antiphons turn Our Gaze Toward Christ's Coming
> Emmanuel Shall Come to Thee
> How Jesus Fulfilled Jewish Hopes for a Messiah
> The O-Antiphons Reimagined
> Bringing the O-Antiphons Alive for Children
RECONCILIATION (Confession). Although Catholics don't celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation as frequently as they did in the past, many American Catholics make it a point to celebrate the Sacrament at least twice a year -- during the seasons of Advent and Lent as the Church prepares for Christmas and Easter. In addition to regularly scheduled times for individual confession, most parishes also schedule Communal Penance services during Advent. These communal celebrations include the opportunity for private, individual confession for individuals who feel the need or desire for absolution.
Celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Advent helps us prepare both spiritually and practically for the celebration of Christmas; it helps us acknowledge unhealthy, hurtful and sinful attitudes or habits which prevent us from experiencing the Lord's presence in our lives and sharing his love with others. As Pope Francis has written, Reconciliation also helps us become "witnesses to hope and true joy." "The profound sense of emptiness felt by so many people can be overcome by the hope we bear in our hearts and by the joy that it gives," the Pope wrote. "We need to acknowledge" -- and to exhibit -- "the joy that rises up in a heart touched by mercy."
Learn More:> Examination of Conscience for Advent
> How to Celebrate a Spiritual Confession in the Absence of the Sacrament• • •
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION. The custom of adoring the Blessed Sacrament outside of Mass originated in an early liturgical practice of honoring the Eucharist while it was reserved on a separate altar or in a separate chapel during the Holy Triduum during Holy Week. Over time, the devotion was extended to other occasions, and became in general a popular expression of Catholic belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. While not strictly an Advent devotion, an hour of prayer and reflection before the Eucharist during Advent is another way to retreat from the busyness of the season and to focus on our spiritual preparation for Christmas.
The first readings or the Gospels from the Sundays in Advent are good sources for reflection during adoration; so are the daily readings in devotional booklets provided by some parishes during Advent. Other prayers, retreats and reflections can be downloaded from online and used to guide adoration during the Advent season. As with all Advent devotions, the purpose is not only to remember the arrival of Jesus Christ in history, but also to reflect on his real presence in our lives today; that means, Pope Francis has said, "to have one’s heart free and facing the right direction, ready to give and to serve."
Learn More:
• Step-by-Step Guide to Adoration
• Online Advent Resources• • •Related Links:
• Advent Family Guide
• Advent Resources for Adults and Young Adults
• Advent Communal Penance Services in Local Parishes
• 10 Meaningful Advent Customs to Try This Year
Learn More
> The Surprising History of Christmas CarolsCopyright Protected by the Catholic Parishes in Waterloo
[Last Update: 11.18.25]