Symbolism and Prayers of the Advent Season - Cycle C
Advent: The Season of Hope :: Advent - Joy and Hope
Celebrating the Season of Advent :: Celebrating the Season of Christmas

Advent

Advent is the season of hope, preparation, expectation and celebration. The word advent is Latin for “a coming or arrival”. The first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of the Liturgical year in the Western calendar. Advent is not limited to the preparation for the arrival of Christ’s birth but also a time to remind us of our redemption and of the second coming of Jesus that is to come.

The Advent Wreath

The Advent wreath is the most recognizable symbol of this season. An advent wreath is comprised of 4 candles that symbolize and focus our attention on the coming of Christ, the Light of the World. The wreath may consist of any material; however, evergreen branches are symbolic and a popular choice.

Making an Advent wreath and having a simple lighting ceremony each week for four weeks leading up to birth of Christ on December 25 th often is the centre for family prayer during this period of preparation. The advent wreath may be lit along with the Christmas candle (the white candle put in the middle of the Advent wreath on December 25 th) throughout the Christmas season until the Feast of Epiphany, the common close of the Christmas Season.

Symbolism of the Advent Wreath

• Circle of the Advent Wreath – represents the endlessness of time in which God remains united with humanity.
• Evergreens - symbolize the freshness and vitality of the relationship among God, humanity and of creation.
• Four Candles and colour – represent the progressive revelation of God - fully realized in the birth and life of Jesus. Purple: lit on the first, second and fourth Sundays of Advent represent waiting and repentance. Pink: lit on the third Sunday of Advent and represents a needed break from the sombreness of the other weeks and celebrates the approaching coming of Jesus. It is a time to reaffirm our personal preparations for a meaningful Christmas season.
• White Christmas Candle – at Christmas a white candle is placed in the center of the wreath, which symbolizes Jesus, the light of the world.

Liturgical Focus/Theme of Each Week of Advent and Sample Prayers

Below is a sample reflection that can be used for families or friends gathering together.

First Sunday of Advent

Advent means “coming”. Focus on Jesus’ final coming as Lord and Judge. One purple candle is lit to represent the first week of this season of longing.

Year ‘C’ Reflection:God has promised to send us a savior. Jesus has come to lead us from sin to God, and to guide us along his pathways to salvation. He gives us the strength and courage to stand up with him. As the season of Advent begins, we look at our way of living – as individuals and as a family – and ask ourselves what Jesus wants us to change in our lives.

Let us ask our heavenly Father to bless us. (All pause for a moment of silent prayer.)

Father, we praise you for sending your Son to save us from our sins and to be light in our darkness. Bless us as we gather in his name, and bless this wreath as a sign of his light among us.

We ask this blessing through Christ our Lord,
(All answer) Amen!

Lord Jesus, you are the light of the world. R.
Response (R.): All answer: Come, Lord Jesus.

You are light in our darkness. R.
Son of God, save us from our sins. R.
Bring hope into the lives of all people. R.
Give your peace to all nations. R.
Be the joy of all who love you. R.
Bless us as we gather here in your name. R.
Lord Jesus, stay with us. R.
May Christ give us his peace and joy, and let us share them with others. All praise and glory are his forever.
(All answer) Amen!

All may sing a verse of “O come, O come, Emmanuel” or another Advent Hymn.

Second Sunday of Advent

Advent is a time of waiting for Christ to grow in our lives. Focus on Jesus’ final coming as Lord and Judge. The first and second purple candles are lit to represent our steady movement through this season of waiting.

Year ‘C’ Reflection:As God’s people we are invited to rejoice: God is coming to save us, to remove obstacles from our path, and to guide us in light and joy. All nations will praise God for his saving love. He will continue to make us holy so that we will be ready for the coming of Jesus our Lord.

Let us ask our heavenly Father to bless us. (All pause for a moment of silent prayer.)

Holy Father, send the Spirit of your Son into our hearts to flatten our pride and build up our faith. Make our love pure and strong, and help us to serve you by loving and serving all your people.

We ask this blessing through Christ our Lord,
(All answer) Amen!

Lord Jesus, you are the light of the world. R.
Response (R.): All answer: Come, Lord Jesus.

You are light in our darkness. R.
Son of God, save us from our sins. R.
Bring hope into the lives of all people. R.
Give your peace to all nations. R.
Be the joy of all who love you. R.
Bless us as we gather here in your name. R.
Lord Jesus, stay with us. R.

May Christ give us his peace and joy, and let us share them with others. All praise and glory are his forever.
(All answer) Amen!

All may sing a verse of “O come, O come, Emmanuel” or another Advent Hymn.

Third Sunday of Advent

Advent is an occasion. Jesus is with us now, and still to come. Pink expresses the joyfulness of anticipation of His coming. One pink and two purple candles are lit. The pink candle signifies the fast approaching feast of Christmas. Eager anticipation replaces somber longing.

Year ‘C’ Reflection:We are invited by God to rejoice, because he is with us. He has overcome sin through Jesus, and we should sin for joy. Whenever we pray to him, he listens to our needs.

Let us ask our heavenly Father to bless us. (All pause for a moment of silent prayer.)

Heavenly Father, help us to remember that you are living in the hearts of all who love you. Listen to our prayers for strength and give us the grace to serve you with Jesus.

We ask this blessing through Christ our Lord,
(All answer) Amen!

Lord Jesus, you are the light of the world. R.
Response (R.): All answer: Come, Lord Jesus.

You are light in our darkness. R.
Son of God, save us from our sins. R.
Bring hope into the lives of all people. R.
Give your peace to all nations. R.
Be the joy of all who love you. R.
Bless us as we gather here in your name. R.
Lord Jesus, stay with us. R.

May Christ give us his peace and joy, and let us share them with others. All praise and glory are his forever.
(All answer) Amen!

All may sing a verse of “O come, O come, Emmanuel” or another Advent Hymn.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Advent is preparation to celebrate our oneness with God in Jesus. All four candles are lit. The final purple candle is lit after the pink candle to signify the darkest hours before dawn.

Year ‘C’ Reflection:Bethlehem is to be the birthplace of the shepherd of God’s people. Jesus comes to us, ready to obey God’s will: this is the sacrifice that is pleasing to God, the sacrifice by which Jesus saved us.

Let us ask our heavenly Father to bless us. (All pause for a moment of silent prayer.)

Lord Jesus, we praise you for saving us by obeying the Father’s will for you. Help us to keep your commandment by loving others as you love us.

We ask this blessing through Christ our Lord,
(All answer) Amen!

Lord Jesus, you are the light of the world. R.
Response (R.): All answer: Come, Lord Jesus.

You are light in our darkness. R.
Son of God, save us from our sins. R.
Bring hope into the lives of all people. R.
Give your peace to all nations. R.
Be the joy of all who love you. R.
Bless us as we gather here in your name. R.
Lord Jesus, stay with us. R.

May Christ give us his peace and joy, and let us share them with others. All praise and glory are his forever.
(All answer) Amen!

All may sing a verse of “O come, O come, Emmanuel” or another Advent Hymn.

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Excerpts from “Advent in Our Home”, National Bulletin on Liturgy, vol. 15, no. 85, Copyright © Concacan Inc. 1982. All rights reserved. Used with permission of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. www.cccbpublications.ca

Family celebrations: Advent and Christmas, Liturgical Press 1984. Nihil obstat: Robert Harren, JCL.

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