Prepare the way of the Lord during Advent

Published: November 26, 2014

The artwork featured for this year's Advent resources, is a photograph of a mosaic of the Holy Family from St. Joseph Church in Haifa, Israel, taken March 26, 2011 during Arkansas Catholic's pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Advent is a four-week season of joy, anticipation and repentance to prepare for the coming of our savior, Jesus Christ. The word "advent" comes from the Latin "adventus" which means coming. It began on Nov. 30 and continues through Dec. 24. 

We are invited to reflect on the wondrous mystery of our Savior's birth and his coming again in glory at the end of time. To learn more, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 524-528 or visit our 2014 Advent Resource Guide.

Advent also marks the beginning of the liturgical year in the Catholic Church. Unlike the secular year, which marks the passage of time, the liturgical year celebrates the sacred mysteries of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus. 

The Christmas season begins on Dec. 25, Christmas Day and runs through the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. This year, it will be celebrated on Jan. 11. The word "Christmas" comes from the Middle English "Christemasse," which literally means Christ's Mass.

This feast commemorates the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. In doing so, God became flesh, making the salvation of the world possible.