Word of the Day: Advent

ADVENT. A period of prayer in preparation for Christmas, including four Sundays, the first nearest the feast of St. Andrew, November 30. It is the beginning of the Church's liturgical year. The use of the organ and other musical instruments is restricted in liturgical functions. However, it is allowed 1. in extra-liturgical functions, 2. for exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, 3. to support singing, and 4. on Gaudete Sunday, feasts and solemnities, and in any extraordinary celebration. Altars may not be decorated with flowers. In the celebration of matrimony, the nuptial blessing is always imparted. But the spouses are advised to take into account the special character of the liturgical season. Masses for various needs and votive Masses for the dead are not allowed unless there is a special need. (Etym. Latin adventus, a coming, approach, arrival.) 

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Also, traditionally a season of fasting and penitence in preparation for the Nativity, analogous with the Nativity Fast of the Eastern Church.

Two customs, originating with the German Lutheran heretics that, since they are theologically acceptable, have been adopted by Catholics. They are the Advent Calendar and the Advent Wreath, both arising in the 19th century, Beware of secular Advent Calendars, however. Many run, arbitrarily, from 1 December until the Eve of the Feast. To be a true Advent Calendar, it should begin on the Sunday nearest St Andrew's Day, 30 November, the Fourth Sunday before Christmas.

The Advent Wreath is a wreath, usually of evergreen, with four candle holders. They contain three violet candles and one rose coloured candle, corresponding to the liturgical colours of the Four Sundays of Advent. The violet candles are lit on the First, Second and Fourth Sundays, the rose one on the Third, which is called Gaudete Sunday from the incipit of the introit, Gaudete in Domino semper, 'Rejoice in the Lord always'.