Archive for December 4th, 2015

Consoling Words

December 4, 2015

Our Lady of Guadalupe Tilma“Listen, put it into your heart, my youngest and dearest son, that the thing that disturbs you, the thing that afflicts you, is nothing. Do not let your countenance, your heart be disturbed. Do not fear this sickness of your uncle or any other sickness, nor anything that is sharp or hurtful. Am I not here, I, who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? Do you need anything more? Let nothing else worry you, disturb you. Do not let your uncle’s illness worry you, because he will not die now. You may be certain that he is already well.”

Words of Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, to St. Juan Diego in 1531

Advent Questions & Answers

December 4, 2015

Gaudete Sunday Advent CandlesWhat is an “advent?”

An “advent” is the coming of something extremely important. The word “advent” is from the Latin word for “arrival.”

What is the Advent season for?

We are preparing for Jesus Christ’s coming at Christmas and at this world’s end.

How many years ago was Jesus born?

The first Christmas was about 2,015 years ago. It is fitting that his birth is the basis for our calendar because Jesus Christ is the center of human history.

When will Jesus come again in glory?

We do not know precisely, so we are to be always ready and prepared for Him.

Why are Isaiah and John the Baptist so prominent in Advent’s Sunday readings?

These two prophets preached about the Jewish Messiah’s coming and about the Kingdom of God He would establish.

What does purple symbolize for Advent?

Purple was associated with royalty in the ancient world. It is a color for Advent since Jesus is coming to us as the King of Kings.

Why does Advent have a wreath with four candles?

The circle of evergreen branches symbolizes the eternal, everlasting life which Jesus comes to bring to all four-corners of the earth. The candles are lit to mark the four Sundays of Advent preceding Christmas.

Why is one of the candles different?

One candle is rose-colored to mark the 3rd  Sunday of Advent, which we call “Gaudete Sunday.”

What’s special about Gaudete Sunday?

Reaching this Sunday means that we have passed the halfway-point on our Advent journey to Christmas. “Gaudete” means “rejoice” in Latin.