2023 Advent

 

Advent, a period of profound spiritual significance in the Christian calendar, is an annual season marked by expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas and the anticipation of His Second Coming. Advent 2023 presents an opportunity for believers to engage deeply with this tradition, tracing its historical roots, understanding its symbolism, participating in its traditions, and reflecting on its theological implications.

Advent 2023 - The Dates for This Year

The season of Advent traditionally spans four Sundays leading up to Christmas. This year, Advent begins on Sunday, December 3rd, and concludes on Sunday, December 24th, Christmas Eve. This period offers a time for reflection and preparation, marking both a beginning and a culmination of the liturgical year.

What Is Advent? History and Meaning

The term "Advent" originates from the Latin word "adventus," meaning "coming," corresponding to the Greek "parousia." Historically, Advent in the early Christian church, particularly in 4th and 5th-century Spain and Gaul, was a preparatory period for the baptism of new converts at the Epiphany feast. This feast celebrated the incarnation of God through events like the visit of the Magi (Matthew 2:1), Jesus' baptism (John 1:29), and His first miracle at Cana (John 2:1). Initially, Advent had minimal connection to Christmas and was more about preparation and penance.

However, by the 6th century, the focus of Advent shifted in Roman Christianity to anticipate Christ's Second Coming rather than His first. This eschatological emphasis remained central until the Middle Ages when Advent became more explicitly connected to the Nativity.

Advent Symbolism

Advent represents the present state of the church, akin to Israel's condition at the Old Testament's close: a period of exile, hopeful and prayerful for the Messiah's advent. The church, during Advent, reflects on Christ’s first arrival while also looking forward to His promised return. This dual focus of remembrance and anticipation is embodied in the hymn "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," reflecting both past fulfillment and future hope.

Advent Liturgy and Practice

The structure of Advent liturgy balances remembrance and anticipation. The first two Sundays focus on Christ's Second Coming, while the latter two remember His birth. Scripture readings throughout Advent transition from prophetic texts about Christ's return to Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah, culminating in New Testament accounts of Jesus' birth.

Advent, akin to Lent, is traditionally a season of fasting and penitence. This time invites reflection on worldly suffering, longing for divine justice, and personal spiritual renewal in Christ's image.

Advent Readings and Themes

Each Advent week is marked by a specific theme, with corresponding Scripture readings:

Hope (Promise) - First Week, December 3rd: Isaiah 9

Preparation (Waiting, Prophecy) - Second Week, December 10th: Isaiah 40

Joy (Peace) - Third Week, December 17th: Matthew 2

Love (Adoration) - Fourth Week, December 24th: John 3

These readings, spanning from prophetic texts to Gospel narratives, offer a rich tapestry of biblical insights relevant to the Advent themes.

Advent Traditions

Wreaths and Candles: The Advent wreath, with its circular shape and evergreen branches, symbolizes eternal life. The candles, often three purple and one pink, represent the themes of hope, preparation, joy, and love, respectively. The lighting of these candles each Sunday serves as a visual and ritualistic representation of the growing light of Christ coming into the world.

Advent in Christian Life: Advent is not merely a liturgical observance but a call to live in a state of readiness and expectation for Christ's return. This period encourages personal reflection, communal worship, and a reorientation towards God's will.

Advent Prayer: Prayer during Advent is an intimate way to engage with the season's themes, expressing longing for God's presence and action in the world and in individual lives.

Conclusion

Advent 2023 invites believers into a time of deep spiritual engagement, blending historical tradition with contemporary relevance. It is a season that calls for introspection, communal celebration, and hopeful anticipation, all centered on the pivotal events of Christ's birth and the awaited Second Coming. This period, rich in symbolism and tradition, provides a unique opportunity for Christians to deepen their faith and understanding of God's salvific plan through Christ.