The Parish of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary keeps
adventus, Latin for “a coming”
For four Sundays the Church waits in the dark, lighting one more candle each week: remembering the long expectation of the Messiah, preparing to celebrate his birth at Christmas, and watching for his coming again.
Open the calendarAdvent opens the Church’s year. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. Its mood is quiet expectation rather than celebration: the Gloria falls silent at Sunday Mass, and the readings turn to the prophets, to John the Baptist, and to Mary.
Violet, the colour of preparation and repentance, is worn through the season. Rose, a lightening of violet, marks a Sunday of rejoicing as Christmas draws near.
An unbroken circle for God’s eternity, evergreens for life that does not fade. One candle is lit each Sunday, so the light grows as the darkest days of the year arrive. The white candle in the centre waits for Christmas.
A door for every day from 29 November to Christmas, each with a reading, a reflection and a song.