- From CatholicCulture.org
Advent is the first season of the liturgical year. It consists of the four Sundays prior to Christmas and the weekdays in between. It is traditionally a time of preparation, in which Catholics prepare their hearts and minds for the celebration of Christ's Incarnation at Christmas. Advent shares many similarities with Lent, including violet as the color of the season and being a time of reflection, although for many it is not as somber a time as Lent. This is reflected in many of the traditions of Advent, which involve lighting candles on the Advent wreath, celebrating various feast days of saints which fall during the season, using a calendar to count down the days until Christmas, and preparing our homes for Christmas by cleaning, decorating, and preparing food. Although it can often get swept up in the feel of the Christmas season, it is important for Catholics to mark out Advent as a special time of anticipation separate from the Christmas season. Try to find some ways this Advent to celebrate with your family and make it a special season!