by Andrew Koslosky KGCHS, Contributing Writer
Many of you have seen in recent days after Thanksgiving, Churches preparing the traditions and events that are celebrated for the season called Advent. What is Advent all about and is it important in our lives today? Let’s take a closer look….
The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word “adventus,” which means “a coming, approach, an arrival.”
By definition, the season of Advent prepares the Christian faithful for the celebration of the first coming of Jesus Christ, commonly known as Christmas, it prepares us for the daily sacraments we receive year round, and further seeks to prepare the heart for the anticipated second coming of Jesus Christ at the end of the world, the Time of Final Judgement.
The Advent Season typically begins the first Sunday after St. Andrew the Apostle’s Feast Day, November 30. It lasts four weeks, with each week concentrating on one of the four biblical themes: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.
It is also the beginning of the Catholic Church’s liturgical year. Christians consider Advent to be a time of renewal and preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ. It is considered to be a spiritual wake-up call. Our daily lives tend to get wrapped up in everyday work and activities. Many take our relationship with God for granted.
We slowly become disconnected and fall into a deep sleep spiritually.
Pope Francis told us…“We must be awake, alert, vigilant. Jesus warns us: there is the danger of not realizing His coming and being unprepared for His visit.”
Saint Augustine said: “I fear the Lord who passes by… that is, I fear that He will pass by and I will not recognize Him!”
The Advent season is a tool by which we can reconnect with God and get back on the right path spiritually.
There are many tools that our Churches will use to motivate its people during the Advent season. One of the primary symbols you will see in Catholic Churches and in many Christian homes, is the addition of The Advent wreath.
The Advent wreath is part of a long-standing tradition among Christians. It is believed that the Advent wreath first appeared in Germany in 1839. A Lutheran minister working at a mission for children created a wreath out of the wheel of a cart. He placed twenty small red candles and four large white candles inside the ring. The red candles were lit on weekdays, and the four white candles were lit on Sundays.
The modern-day presentation has evolved where the wreaths are made of Evergreen Branches…evergreen, signifying continuous life. The shape of the wreath itself, which has no beginning or end, is a symbol of the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the eternal life Christians find in Christ.
In the contemporary Church, there are many different interpretations of the wreath itself, but the four candles within the branches remain a standard, representing the four weeks of Advent season. They are usually three purple and one rose-colored, each with its own special symbol and meaning. The first candle represents Hope, the second Peace, the third Joy, and the fourth Love. Sometimes a white candle is lit on Christmas Eve to symbolize that Jesus is with us.
Neal A. Maxwell beautifully stated, “Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus!”
Jesus came in the past as a baby, and He will come again in the future at the second coming. However, each and every day He comes to us in Holy Communion and through His grace. We must be mindful not to let material preparations hinder us from spiritually preparing for the holy season of Christmas.
As we clean our houses, we should also clean our souls. As we buy presents, we should count our blessings and offer up sacrifices as little gifts to God. The season of Advent is a special time when we can focus especially on making things right. We must prepare a home in our hearts that is fit for the King of Kings so that we may be ready when He comes.
As Advent unfolds, it serves as both a window into the mystery of the Incarnation and an invitation into the depths of one’s spiritual life. Through prayer, reflection, and communal celebration, believers are called to enter into this holy season fully.
In a world that often seeks immediate gratification and distractions, Advent gently reminds Christians to embrace the beauty of anticipation, encouraging a spirit of hope, peace, joy, and love as they prepare to welcome the light of Christ into their lives.
As the season progresses, may all who observe Advent find renewed faith and closer communion with God, ready to celebrate the miraculous gift of Jesus at Christmas.
Our wonderful town of Pass Christian has some wonderful events planned for the holiday season. I encourage you to come out and get into the Christmas Spirit.
On December 13, 2025 our Knights of Columbus will host its annual Toys for Tots Dinner at the Pass Christian Yacht Club. Give Knight Greg Niolet a call if you would be interested in attending. If not, maybe consider bringing a gift to one of the Toy Collection boxes we have around town. This is a special ministry and a great way to get into the season.
On December 27, 2025 the amazing Candlelight Procession Noel A Night of Everlasting Love: The Story of Christmas comes to Pass Christian at 5:30pm at the Holy Family Catholic Church. The story of Christmas opens before you as The St Louis Cathedral Choir and members of the Louisiana Symphony Orchestra, led by soloist Sara Jane McMahon and yours truly reprising his New York Performance.
The New York Performance was awarded the Emmy Award for Best Holiday Programming by Public Television in 2010 and 2013. You will not want to miss this spectacular evening of music, as the Story of the first Christmas comes to life via music. Bring the whole family and all your friends…admission is free.
Of course, there are many Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations at our local churches. The traditional Christmas Eve celebration at Holy Family Church, will begin with an 11pm concert by The Holy Family Adult Chorus followed by Christmas Midnight Mass. These are just a few of the events planned, check around and get into the Holiday spirit by getting involved with one of them.
Does Advent have a special place in this present day and age? For my part, I feel like it serves as a great tool in helping me step back, to take a look at where I am. Then, with some reflection and adjustments, I can start to move toward a place where I look forward to when I get that visit on judgement day.
How about you? Do you feel like you have a community that is “fit for the King of Kings”?
Do you feel you and your family are ready?
So, I ask you…does Advent have a special place in this present day and age?
I will leave that up to you, but remember… the clock is ticking. Peace my Brothers and Sisters until next week…
