St. Ignatius of Loyola
Catholic Church
Advent & Christmas
Preparing for Advent
The season of Advent:
The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word “adventus,” which means “a coming, approach, arrival.” When we expect guests to arrive at our homes, we turn the lights on; we anticipate their arrival and welcome them with joy. In Advent, we prepare our homes and churches as we joyfully anticipate His arrival, and the light also gets brighter as we near Christmas day, the day on which the Light of the World was born.
St. Gregory of Nyssa wrote,
“Today, the darkness begins to grow shorter and the light to lengthen, as the hours of light become fewer. […] Do you see that the beams of light are more intense and the sun higher than it has been? Realize that the true light is now here and, through the rays of the Gospel, is illuminating the whole earth.”
Advent wreaths and candles are commonly seen in Catholic churches during the liturgical season. Many people also display Advent wreaths in their homes and light a candle each Sunday as families.
- Advent week 1 – Hope: Prophecy Candle (purple)
- Advent week 2 – Peace: Bethlehem Candle (purple)
- Advent week 3 – Joy: Shepherd’s Candle (pink)
- Advent week 4 – Love: Angel’s Candle (purple)
First Week of Advent: Hope
Sunday, December 1, 2024 | First Sunday of Advent | Luke 21:25–28, 34–36
“Once in our world, a stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world.” – C.S. Lewis
It is only fitting that the first candle on the Advent wreath represents Hope – the first Sunday of Advent not only leads us to anticipate the birth of Christ but celebrate the beginning of a new liturgical season as well. The first candle is purple, the primary color of Advent and a color symbolizing royalty. Sometimes called the “Prophecy Candle,” the first candle harkens us back to Isaiah’s foretelling of the birth of Christ and all of the promises God gave us in the Old Testament that would be fulfilled by the birth of Jesus. This Advent, light the first candle on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Second Week of Advent: Peace
Sunday, December 8, 2024 | Second Sunday of Advent | Luke 3:1-6
“May we be in this world a ray of that light which shone forth from Bethlehem, bringing joy and peace to the hearts of all men and women.” – Pope Francis
The second candle on the Advent wreath represents Peace. Like the first candle, it is also purple. Often called the “Bethlehem Candle,” the second Advent candle reminds us of Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem before Mary gave birth to Jesus. Building on the meaning of the Prophecy Candle, this second candle recalls that after all of the division, destruction, and dispersion of the kingdom in the Old Testament, there might finally be peace on Earth – Jesus is coming, and so is his Kingdom of Peace. As we read in the quote from Pope Francis, this light of peace shone forth from Bethlehem for all the world. This Advent, light the second candle on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Third Week of Advent- Gaudete Sunday: Joy
Sunday, December 15, 2024 | Third Sunday of Advent | Luke 3:10-18
“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see — I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’” (Luke 2:10-12)
The third candle of Advent symbolizes Joy. As we continue to approach Christmas Day, our joy grows more and more. The third candle takes us back to the joyful anticipation of the shepherds who journeyed to see Jesus in Bethlehem, even before the wise men. On this third Sunday of Advent, which the Church calls “Gaudete Sunday,” meaning rejoice or praise, we light the third candle and rejoice like the shepherds. For this reason, the third candle of Advent is called the “Shepherd’s Candle,” and its color is pink, the liturgical color for joy. This Advent, light the third candle on Sunday, December 15, 2024.
Fourth Week of Advent: Love
Sunday, December 22, 2024 | Fourth Sunday of Advent |
“And in the end, everything else will turn out to be unimportant and inessential, except for this: Father, Child, and Love.” – St. (Pope) John Paul II
The fourth candle of Advent represents Love, the ultimate love of God that He might send His only Son for us. Called the “Angel’s Candle,” the fourth candle of Advent is lit the Sunday before Christmas, and it is the color purple, leading us to eagerly await the new Kingdom of God on earth. This Advent, light the fourth candle on Sunday, December 22, 2022.
more for Advent...
Jesse Tree: A Timeless Christmas Tradition
Jesse Trees are a centuries-old Christmas tradition that dates back to medieval times. They serve as a way to recount the story of the Bible, beginning with creation and leading up to the Christmas story.
The name "Jesse Tree" comes from Jesse, the father of the great Jewish king, David. In the Bible, the prophet Isaiah shares this prophecy:
1 But a shoot shall sprout from the stump* of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom.
2 The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, A spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD,
3 and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD. Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide,
4 But he shall judge the poor with justice, and decide fairly for the land’s afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.
— Isaiah 11:1-4
A branch symbolizes new life and fresh beginnings. Christians believe that Jesus, a descendant of King David, is this "new branch" that fulfills Isaiah's prophecy.
In their earliest form, Jesse Trees were large carvings, tapestries, or stained-glass windows in churches. These were designed to teach illiterate people about the Bible, from creation through to the Christmas story. Today, Jesse Trees are often used as a type of Advent calendar. You can decorate a regular Christmas tree or use a banner shaped like a tree. Each day during Advent (or sometimes just on the four Sundays), a special ornament or decoration—each representing a biblical story—is added to the tree.
- Color your own Jesse Tree Ornaments
- Teens- watch a video on the Jesse Tree
- Adults-watch a video on the Jesse Tree
Jesse Tree Symbols and Decorations: There are countless biblical stories and symbols to choose from for your Jesse Tree. Below are 25 of my favorite stories and symbols:
Advent: A Season of Hope and Anticipation
Advent is a season of preparation, a time to pause and reflect on the meaning of the upcoming celebration of Christ’s birth. For all of us, it’s a chance to align our hearts with the deep hope and joy that the season brings, and to focus on spiritual renewal and anticipation. Whether you are journeying through Advent alone, with a partner, or with your family, there are unique ways to engage with the season’s significance. The following reflections and suggestions are tailored to help everyone—singles, families, and those without children—experience the richness of this season.
Advent for Singles & Those Without Children
For those who are single or without children, Advent can be a deeply personal and reflective time. Without the demands of planning family events, this season offers the opportunity to focus more intently on your own spiritual preparation and growth.
- Cultivating Personal Reflection:Advent invites you into a quiet space of anticipation and preparation. This could be a season for deepening your relationship with God through daily prayer, journaling, or Scripture readings. Consider adopting a daily Advent devotional that speaks to your unique journey of faith.
- Serving Others: Being single often means having more flexibility with your time. This can be an ideal opportunity to serve others—whether through volunteering, helping a neighbor, or reaching out to friends in need. Acts of service are powerful during Advent, as they reflect the heart of the season—love and selflessness.
- Help with Christmas Angels
- Be part of the St. Ignatius Live Nativity
- Work with outreach to pack toys for those in need on Tuesday, December 10 in Sexton Hall at 6:00 PM
- Advent Traditions: Create your own Advent traditions that nurture your spirit. This might include lighting an Advent candle, enjoying a hot drink by the fire, or listening to Advent-themed music that brings peace. Take time for quiet moments of reflection to center your heart on the joy and hope of Christ’s coming.
- Cultivating Gratitude: Advent can also be a time of cultivating gratitude in your life, acknowledging the blessings you have, and trusting that God is with you in all seasons, even if you’re walking through times of loneliness or longing.
Advent for Families
For families, Advent offers the chance to build meaningful traditions that center your home around the anticipation of Christ’s birth. This is a season where both children and adults can join in the excitement of preparation, creating memories that will last for years to come.
- Advent Calendar and Daily Devotions: Create an Advent calendar for your family, with a small activity, Bible verse, or prayer for each day. This can help children understand the meaning behind the season in an interactive way. You can use a traditional Advent calendar with doors that open to reveal Scripture readings or small surprises that bring joy to the whole family.
- Family Service Projects: Advent is a time for families to come together in acts of kindness. Find ways to serve together—whether it’s volunteering at a local shelter, preparing care packages for those in need, or adopting a family to bless during the holiday season. These activities can help children develop a heart for service and gratitude.
- Help with Christmas Angels
- Be part of the St. Ignatius Live Nativity
- Work with outreach to pack toys for those in need on Tuesday, December 10 in Sexton Hall at 6:00 PM
- Advent Wreath & Candle Lighting: Lighting the Advent candles as a family can become a meaningful ritual. As each candle is lit, take time to reflect on the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. Incorporating Scripture readings or prayers around the wreath brings a peaceful and reverent tone to your household during this busy season.
- Creating Space for Reflection & Connection: While Advent is often a busy time of year for families, it’s important to create space for quiet reflection. Carve out moments for family prayer, or perhaps have a quiet time of reading the nativity story together. This can be a chance to slow down and refocus on the true meaning of the season, allowing you to connect not just with each other, but with the sacred story of Christ’s coming.
- Fun Family Traditions: Advent can also be a time for fun family traditions, such as baking together, creating handmade decorations, or watching special holiday movies. These traditions help to keep the season joyful and memorable for both parents and children.
Regardless of whether you're single or have a family, Advent is a time of hope and renewal. It’s a season that invites all of us to anticipate Christ’s coming with joy and expectancy. As you journey through Advent, may you experience the peace of His presence and the joy of His love, no matter where you are in life.
Advent Calendars
Advent calendars are simply calendars that span roughly four weeks from the start of Advent until Christmas.
Advent calendars can help us participate more actively in the season of Advent as we await the joyful celebration of Christmas. They can remind us to pray each day and help us to remember that in our preparation for Christmas, we are awaiting the birth of Jesus.
In a more secular context, Advent calendars count down the days until Christmas and provide a small gift or goodie on each day. Everyone from Dr. Who to Star Wars to Jimmy Choo has an Advent Calendar in 2024. Advent calendars can be made of cardboard, printed on paper, knitted with fabric, or creatively constructed in some other way.
According to the USCCB, Advent calendars “can help you fully enter into the season with daily activity and prayer suggestions to prepare you spiritually for the birth of Jesus Christ.” Similar to Advent wreaths and candles, Advent calendars are devotions that guide our hearts and minds towards Jesus. Since there is some verse, quote or item associated with each day, Advent calendars can also help us foster good prayer habits. Checking the Advent calendar each morning or evening can remind us to spend a moment in prayer.
7810 Cypresswood Drive, Spring, TX 77379