Why is Advent Important

---

Preparation for Christmas is an important theme for Advent, but more is involved. Advent gives us a vision of our lives as Christians and shows us the possibilities of life.

The vision of life that Advent gives us is twofold; it looks back to the first coming of Christ at Bethlehem, and it looks to the future when Christ will come again. In the interval between these two events we find meaning for our life as a Christian.

First we celebrate Christ-become-human. We view his life and experience his presence as a human being in our history. Christ came to show us what life can and should be. He gave us true and valid principles by which we can live true and valid lives. But Jesus knew that the human heart could not live in isolation. He formed the Church around the concept of a people held together by love. In that community we discover unlimited possibilities and meaning. Alone we can do nothing. Together we find real meaning.

When Christ left this earth, he did not abandon us. He remains with us in his Spirit, the Church, the sacraments, the Scriptures and each other. He lives in community with us and keeps his vision of life before us.

When Christ comes again, his presence will no longer be hidden behind the signs and symbols of the liturgy or the words of the Scriptures. His presence among us will be revealed in all its fullness, a presence that will never end, a presence that will perfect and complete our community.

This is the "greater significance" of Advent. In these few short weeks we take in the sweeping panorama of time - from Christ's birth to his Second Coming. The season of Advent brings us the magnificent vision of life and hope for the future given to us by Christ.

Advent is our time to become more involved, more caught up in the meaning and the possibilities of life as a Christian community. Thus we are preparing not only for Christmas but also for Christ's Second Coming. This means that when he comes again, we will be awake and watchful. He will not find us asleep.

© Liguori Publications Excerpt from Advent - A Quality Storecupboard The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer

---

More Advent & Christmas

Search Search Advent & Christmas

Advent? What is it all about

The word Advent derives from the Latin word meaning coming. The Lord is coming. We may reflect that every year at this time we celebrate his coming , so that in a sense we can lose the feeling of expectancy and joyful anticipation, because at the end of the season, everything seems to return to pretty much the same routine. If that is the case, then our preparation may have been lacking ... continue reading

More about Advent

Why is it Important
The Advent Wreath
Collections for Advent
The Advent Candle
Divine Preparations
Advent Prayers
What the Catechism says
An Advent Search for God
The Lord Will Come
Advent Conversion
Time for Preparation
The Advent Calendar

The Christmas Story

To become the mother of the Savior, Mary "was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role."132 The angel Gabriel at the moment of the annunciation salutes her as "full of grace". In fact, in order for Mary to be able to give the free assent of her faith to the announcement of her vocation, it was necessary that she be wholly borne by God's grace... continue reading

More Christmas

O Antiphons
Last Eight Days
12 Days of Christmas
Origin of 12 Days
The Epiphany
Christmas Prayers
The Manger and the Cross
Christmas Cookies
A Blessed Christmas
The Nativity Scene

---

Mary Speaks From the Heart
A Young Mother Gives Birth
Mary Remembers
A Life of 'Yes'
Jesus’ Mother is Our Mother

A Birth Foretold
The Witnesses Gather
The Plan Unfolds
Redeemer in the Womb
The Real Christmas Gift

---

FREE Classes on Lent from Catholic Online School

Our Mission is to Provide a Free World Class Catholic Education for Anyone, Anywhere. Help our Mission >

Ash Wednesday

Why go to Confession?

Lent Classes

---

Advent Daily Readings

The weeks of Advent remind us to set aside some of the hectic business of the holiday season, and to quietly reflect on the promise of the baby born in Bethlehem 2000 years ago. The Bible readings listed below relate to the Advent themes of waiting, preparation, light in the darkness, and the coming of the promised Messiah. continue reading

Explore More

Mother of our Lord
Jesus Family Tree
About Isaiah
St. Nicholas
Gift Guide

---

Ideas to Make Your Christmas Special
Traditions From Around The World
Christmas Quotes
How to Handle Christmas Stress

St. Nicholas
Christmas
Advent

More Advent & Christmas News

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »

50 years later, a Christmas message from the heavens

Fifty years ago on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24, 1968) the crew of Apollo 8 entered lunar orbit and began circling the moon - the first time in ... continue reading

---

'Observe Advent': What does it really mean? Watch

With the first Sunday of Advent behind us, the liturgical season of preparing for Christmas is well underway.  Denver, Colo. (CNA) - ... continue reading

---

We ask you, humbly, to help.

Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you. Help Now >

New Vatican Christmas Stamps feature beautiful artwork

The artwork featured on the Vatican's postage stamps for Christmas 2018 were painted by a man serving a life-sentence in a Milanese ... continue reading

---

Catholic Online Shopping Announces 40 Days of Deals!

Catholic Online Shopping has announced 40 Days of Deals. Catholic gifts will be discounted, allowing shoppers to get bargains on some of ... continue reading

---

The Nativity Scene Watch

The Nativity Scene is a meaningful expression for our religious faith. With it, we provide a captivating visual focus during the Christmas ... continue reading

---

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »

The Advent and Christmas Season... by Catholic Online Shopping