Advent Calendar 2012 - First Advent

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What is Advent? It's the preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, our savior. Which means that today is the 4th Sunday before Christmas. In this busy time of year, it's easy to lose focus on that which is of most importance to us, the reason for the season, Jesus Christ.

Taken from One Sunday Visitor :
The word "Advent" comes from the Latin Adventus, which means "coming." It is a time for quiet reflection, prayer and conversion in anticipation of the coming of Christ from two different perspectives. The readings and the liturgies during Advent prepare us for the birth of Jesus, but they also prepare us for the Second Coming of Jesus at the end of the world. The season offers us the opportunity to share in the ancient longing for the coming of the Messiah, and to be alert as we await his Second Coming. Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas. It ends at sundown on Christmas Eve. Since Christmas falls on different days of the week, Advent can range in duration from 22 days when Christmas falls on a Monday to 28 days when Christmas falls on a Sunday. Advent marks the beginning of the Church year. Unlike the secular year, which marks the passage of time, the liturgical year celebrates the sacred mysteries of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The year begins during Advent in anticipation of the coming of Jesus with reflections on the Hebrew prophecies and the ancient longing for the coming of the Messiah.

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Having been raised in Europe, we just had 4 white candles on our advent wreath. None of different colors, just plain white. I just read why many of the advent wreaths have different colors candles on them. Let me share:

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1st Sunday of Advent - Light the gold candle for the prophets.

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2nd Sunday of Advent - Light the white candle for the angels.

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3rd Sunday of Advent - Light the green candle for the shepherds.

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4th Sunday of Advent - Light the blue candle of the Magi.

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 Christmas Day - Light the red candle for the Savior.

Tell me, do you have an advent wreath? What color are your candles?
I pray this Sunday finds you safe, warm, healthy and prayerful. 
You can see more posts on Advent HERE, HERE and HERE.