ADVENT
Advent means the coming, and is used by the Church to represent the four thousand years of preparation for the coming of the Redeemer, and at the same time points us to His second coming as our judge.
When is the season of Advent?
The season of Advent comprises the four weeks preceding Christmas.
When was the first coming of our Redeemer?
When the Son of God was conceived by the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and was made flesh, to sanctify the world by His coming.
Was a redeemer necessary?
Yes ; for all men sinned in Adam, and needed to be reconciled to God.
Could not the just under the Old Law be saved before the coming of Christ?
Yes; through the expectation of Him and through His future merits all might be saved under the Old Law who made themselves worthy of the grace of Christ by innocence and penance, though they could not be admitted to heaven until Our Lord’s ascension.
When will be the second coming of Christ?
At the end of the world, when Christ will come with great power and majesty to judge the living and the dead.
Why has the Church appointed the holy season of Advent?
1. That we may consider the wretched state of mankind before the coming of Christ, and bring before our minds the mercy of God, Who sent His only-begotten Son down from heaven for our redemption. 2. That we may prepare ourselves worthily for Christmas, that Christ may then enter our hearts in the fulness of His grace, to renew them and to dwell in them. 3. That we may so prepare ourselves for the second advent that He may be to us a merciful judge.“ Watch ye, therefore, because you know not what hour your Lord will come” (St.Matt. xxiv. 42).
Prayer.
O God, Who hast brought joy to the world through Thy gracious advent, grant us, we beseech Thee, Thy grace, that we may prepare ourselves by sincere penance for its celebration and for the Last Judgment. Amen.Next-FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
