Introduction to Advent
The Church’s feasts and celebrations run on a year-long cycle called the liturgical year, which begins on the first Sunday of Advent.
Through the yearly cycle of readings, we commemorate the entire mystery of Christ, from his birth through his ascension, then Pentecost, and ending with the expectation of his second coming.
Advent (from the Latin ad-venire, “to come to”) is a season of preparation that encompasses the four Sundays before Christmas. It has a three-fold purpose: 1) to prepare for Christmas, when we commemorate Christ’s first coming, 2) to prepare for Christ’s triumphant return at the Second Coming, 3) to celebrate and deepen a present coming: the coming of the Lord into our daily lives.
Our readings for this first week of Advent interpret each other, presenting a clear theme of expectation for the Lord’s coming:
Isaiah: Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down!
Paul: We wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus: Be watchful! You do not know when the time will come.
Sunday Readings 