Need a Longer Advent Season

[Crumpy]

Somehow it seems that the Church (i.e. the people) need a longer advent season.

Christmas as a holiday is eclipsing Christmas as a holy day.

The newspapers and online news is eclipsing Thanksgiving itself with Black Friday and now Black Thursday.

There is too much emphasis on the movies being released, the new electronics hitting the stores for the mad dash of materialism.

We’re even reminded that the Christmas shopping season is a make-or-break quarter for many stores and businesses.

But, what about our souls? No mention of that!

And, to boot, there is something that passes that we regard without almost a moment’s notice – the end/beginning of the Church year.

Judaism takes its cue from the Bible itself in the celebration of Rosh Hoshana, the beginning of a new cycle of Torah study. There is even a celebration of the revelation of the covenant at Sinai.

the days between R.H. and Yom Kippur (the day of atonement) are called the Days of Awe. And, those ten days are virtually focused on nothing else but confession and repentence (in OT terms, atonement for sins).

Catholicism has rearranged some of these things and packaged them in the Lenten observance (as it is called now). But, isn’t there too much attention on abstaining from chocolate, instead of reforming our lives and abstaining from sin?

but, back to advent. don’t we have even in the last 50 years, a lot more theological insight into the importance of OT theology and practice? shouldn’t we concentrate, don’t we need a lot more grounding in the meaning of the Old Testament and, thereby, what the meaning of the New Testament signifies?

Why don’t we celebrate the Sinai covenant and the revelation of God’s word, as do the Jews?

Why don’t we celebrate and intensify our meditation on exactly what a new religious year signifies? At the very least, we in the U.S. need to LEAD our fellow citizens to the gospel of Jesus Christ. We need to re-invigorate our religious observance, which has been sidelined amid twinkle lights and wrapping paper.

 

[NHInsider]

I would agree that we need to 1) be sure our own Advent observances are genuine and faith-filled and 2) be witnesses in the world to both the meaning of the holy season and the purpose of Advent as a preparation for the celebration of the Incarnation. I don’t see, however, that lengthening Advent is either necessary or likely to lead to either 1) or 2). . . .

 

[ConstantineTG]

The Advent season in the Byzantine Rite is 40 days, and has begun yesterday.

Just FYI

 

[Marie5890]

The Advent season in the Byzantine Rite is 40 days, and has begun yesterday.

Just FYI

I knew that there was a rite who had a longer Advent season. Thanks for speaking up.

Back to OP’s comment. The one reason I would say no to the idea of the Latin rite making it longer is that the month of Nov. should really be more focused on the souls of the dead. I think that should be even more emphasized.

All that aside, regardless of what the commercal and secular side of our culture does, we can still have a fruitful Advent.

Besides, the way that it is set up, the first 2 weeks we focus on Second Coming, the last 2 weeks, the First coming (or it may be vice versa)

The point being, 4 weeks is not an arbitrary number. There is symbolism behind it.

 

[Dorothy]

I knew that there was a rite who had a longer Advent season. Thanks for speaking up.

Back to OP’s comment. The one reason I would say no to the idea of the Latin rite making it longer is that the month of Nov. should really be more focused on the souls of the dead. I think that should be even more emphasized.

All that aside, regardless of what the commercal and secular side of our culture does, we can still have a fruitful Advent.

Besides, the way that it is set up, the first 2 weeks we focus on Second Coming, the last 2 weeks, the First coming (or it may be vice versa)

The point being, 4 weeks is not an arbitrary number. There is symbolism behind it.

I agree with your post, and I’d like to add that there is no reason why any one of us cannot live a holier and more prayerful life by increasing one’s prayer time, doing spiritual reading, and doing our best to do something special during designated seasons such as Advent. And, parents can teach that to their children.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

As others suggested, we need to use the Advent Season we have before we think about a longer one.

Also, we need to use the Christmas Season - Christmas to the Baptism by John.

The problem is that we have moved the Christmas Season back into Advent. How many of your Church groups have Christmas parties before Christmas? How many after? By noon on the 26th the trees are all out at the curb awaiting pickup.

 

[OraLabora]

As others suggested, we need to use the Advent Season we have before we think about a longer one.

Also, we need to use the Christmas Season - Christmas to the Baptism by John.

The problem is that we have moved the Christmas Season back into Advent. How many of your Church groups have Christmas parties before Christmas? How many after? By noon on the 26th the trees are all out at the curb awaiting pickup.

I agree we leave Advent what it is. For one thing, making it longer would create a liturgical mess. There would be no propers for the Mass and Divine Office for example, that reaches back into tradition, that we could use for an extended Advent. For those of us into Gregorian chant, that’s no small matter.

 

[Crumpy]

Back to OP’s comment. The one reason I would say no to the idea of the Latin rite making it longer is that the month of Nov. should really be more focused on the souls of the dead. I think that should be even more emphasized.

QUOTE]

Well, if you don’t like the idea of a longer Advent, I realize I’m walking against tradition and other factors.

I’m confused about the above remark The whole month of November is dedicated to the souls in purgatory? I don’t think I realized that. All souls “day” is, well, a “day.”

Also, I think that we pray for deceased in every Mass. How much more emphasis could there be?

Liturgically, I don’t think the month of November is dedicated to remembrance of the souls in Purgatory. That might be some theme or something, but I don’t think it’s enshrined in the liturgy, to the tune of wearing black vestments all month, for example.

 

[TrueLight]

Can anyone recommend any devotions for Advent? This is my first Advent and I’m not sure what I’m supposed to be doing in preparation.

 

[Crumpy]

In the OP, I stated my reasons for suggesting a longer Advent season.

I’m starting to read a Jewish book on Rosh Hoshanah, the Jewish new year celebration. What it is, is a day that celebrates the Kingship of God which was, as they reckon it, established on the sixth day of creation, when mankind was created.

The Fatherhood and Kingship of God was established on that day.

Our Advent season is strictly what the Church calls a season that recalls the longing for the messiah.

I don’t see that the Hebrew scriptures are overly concerned with the longing for the messiah. Certainly a verse here or there, but I think this “longing” for the messiah is a Catholic invention.

I guess that’s my very point, that there’s so much more to the Hebrew Scriptures than the longing for the messiah – which could easily fill up the agenda of two more Sundays in the season of Advent.

Catholics celebrate Christ the King as the last Sunday of the liturgical year, as if the arrival of Christ established the kingship of God. As I said, the Jews reckon the Kingship of God right from the beginning. That seems to make more sense to me.

 

[Dan_Daly]

Can anyone recommend any devotions for Advent? This is my first Advent and I’m not sure what I’m supposed to be doing in preparation.

Prayer. Penance. Advent is supposed to be like Lent but not as severe. The advent wreath is a good devotion. Don’t be putting up Christmas decorations before Christmas. We don’t pass around the easter eggs on Good Friday. Once Christmas comes, celebrate it for the full Christmas season.

It’s also important to remember that Advent is not simply a countdown until Christmas. It is a period of preparation for the coming (that is what Advent means) of the Lord. This coming is multiple:

-In the past, at the nativity in Bethelehem, which we celebrate on Christmas.
-In the present, in the True Presence, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity in the Eucharist.
-In the future, both at our particular judgement, and the general judgement at the end of the world.

So extra time devoted to the Eucharist, a thorough examination of conscience, more frequent Mass attendance and more frequent confessions would all be good ways to observe the advent season. “Giving up” earthly things that you have become attached to, as in Lent, is also appropriate.

One new thing, that I’m going to do this year with my family, is pray a Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Pax Christi

 

[Dan_Daly]

As I said, the Jews reckon the Kingship of God right from the beginning. That seems to make more sense to me.

I don’t mean to derail the thread, but I was listening to a sermon earlier today, and this comment really jumped out at me relative to it.

“WE HAVE NO KING BUT CAESAR!”

That is what the Jewish people yelled when they urged Pilate to crucify Our Lord.

I know for myself, it is something I need to think about and what is the reality of my own life. What type of subjects are we to Christ Our King? Obedient and faithful? Or do we place our own “caesar” be it the state, material possesions, prestige, human respect, wealth, or something else before Him in our life?

Perhaps, it’s not really too off topic, as it does tie into the multiple Comings of Christ we are preparing for that I mentioned.

Pax Christi

 

[Cider]

As others suggested, we need to use the Advent Season we have before we think about a longer one.

Also, we need to use the Christmas Season - Christmas to the Baptism by John.

The problem is that we have moved the Christmas Season back into Advent. How many of your Church groups have Christmas parties before Christmas? How many after? By noon on the 26th the trees are all out at the curb awaiting pickup.

Exactly!

The secular world doesn’t have an advent season at all, they have the Christmas season during Advent and then it all ends Dec 26th.

 

[asd72]

…

Judaism takes its cue from the Bible itself in the celebration of Rosh Hoshana, the beginning of a new cycle of Torah study. There is even a celebration of the revelation of the covenant at Sinai.

the days between R.H. and Yom Kippur (the day of atonement) are called the Days of Awe. And, those ten days are virtually focused on nothing else but confession and repentence (in OT terms, atonement for sins).

Catholicism has rearranged some of these things and packaged them in the Lenten observance (as it is called now). But, isn’t there too much attention on abstaining from chocolate, instead of reforming our lives and abstaining from sin?

but, back to advent. don’t we have even in the last 50 years, a lot more theological insight into the importance of OT theology and practice? shouldn’t we concentrate, don’t we need a lot more grounding in the meaning of the Old Testament and, thereby, what the meaning of the New Testament signifies?

Why don’t we celebrate the Sinai covenant and the revelation of God’s word, as do the Jews? …

Crumpy,

There is a great teaching called “Feasts of Faith”, which you can find on the website ‘St Pauls centre for Biblical theology’. It is in the audio courses section, and is taught by Scott Hahn, Brant Pitre, and Michael Barber. It explains how these old testament feasts, Rosh Hoshana etc, are fulfilled in the new, if you are interested.

It is so fascinating! You often hear some Protestant groups saying Jesus fulfilled the 4 Spring feasts in his first coming, and he will fulfill the Fall feasts when he returns…but think again!

 

[I_Thirst]

Christmas as a holiday is eclipsing Christmas as a holy day.

…]

Why don’t we celebrate and intensify our meditation on exactly what a new religious year signifies? At the very least, we in the U.S. need to LEAD our fellow citizens to the gospel of Jesus Christ. We need to re-invigorate our religious observance, which has been sidelined amid twinkle lights and wrapping paper.

I think your observation about holiday vs holy day is duly noted, but a culture will never triumph over the Church – though in our limited view it may appear to do so.

And I agree that we need to lead our fellow citizens, especially Catholics, back to Jesus Christ.

Can anyone recommend any devotions for Advent? This is my first Advent and I’m not sure what I’m supposed to be doing in preparation.

An ancient practice of the Church (still maintained by the Eastern Catholics) is that Advent is a penitential season, a Winter Lent (just a quick side note: in Lent there is Laetare Sunday; in Advent there is Gaudete Sunday; they are mirrors of each other and the vestments are the same rose-colored ones). You could fast and/or abstain on Fridays. If you already keep a Friday fast, you could perhaps add Wednesdays (another time-honored day of penance for the Church). Be sure to combine fasting with more prayer and almsgiving.

For more info on the penitential aspects of Advent, google Nativity Fast.

 

[puzzleannie]

Somehow it seems that the Church (i.e. the people) need a longer advent season.

Christmas as a holiday is eclipsing Christmas as a holy day.

.

the Church is fine,
the rest of secular society is whacked out
if they were right, and we were wrong, Advent would start Nov. 3, the day after All Souls

if Catholics want to observe the actual liturgical year, rather than the holiday schedule dictated by retailers and big box stores, they are free to do so, and set a good example. Catholics who have already sold out to the secular values are not going to be helped by tinkering with the church calendar.

 

[johnthebaptist1]

I to beleive, that we need longer Advent Season, Advent should be for us,the time to get ready for the coming of Jesus, But Man has become, more worried about making money,and people are worried,about what deals they can get on Black Friday,than thinking of others, who don,t have anything. So know what are they going to do next, open the stores on Chirstmas eve,and on Christmas Day. If Man trys to do this, than man has lost their mine,and God will be hurt. I pray that, we return back to the way it supposed be,showing LOVE to one another and helping others.

 

[bz5]

As others suggested, we need to use the Advent Season we have before we think about a longer one.

Also, we need to use the Christmas Season - Christmas to the Baptism by John.

The problem is that we have moved the Christmas Season back into Advent. ** How many of your Church groups have Christmas parties before Christmas?** How many after? By noon on the 26th the trees are all out at the curb awaiting pickup.

This bothers me too. I can’t expect the stores not to want to sell me stuff, but when the CCD and parish parties are in Advent, that’s discouraging.

 

[ByzCath08]

The OP put out an interesting observation. As an Eastern Catholic, our observation of the pre-nativity fast begins 40 days before Christmas. During that time, we abstain from meat on Wednesday as well as the usual Fridays and are called to prepare ourselves through penance and reflection. In many ways, it is like a pre easter lent.

This practice runs so counter to our society. My wife & I turn down invitations to Christmas parties that fall during the 40 day fast because it interferes with our beliefs and preparation for the Nativity of Christ and this has lead to some very interesting conversations.

For those in the Latin rite, while you don’t have the same prescribed fast/abstinence like we do in the Eastern Church, there is nothing stopping you from trying to withdraw a bit from the secular world we live in and really make your advent preparation an opportunity for growth. Make the determination to forgo Christmas parties that occur during Advent and use that time in prayer/meditation or spend extra time during the week in preparation for the Nativity.

Whatever you do, make it a spiritually productive advent season! Remember, there are 40 days of Christmas to celebrate while the secular world has already moved on.

Glory to Jesus Christ!

 

[ByzCath08]

@TrueLight.

There is a great book titled Come, Lord Jesus by Mother Mary Francis. The book is a compilation of reflections that Mother Mary Francis wrote for her sisters that match up to the daily readings during advent. You could use that as a starting point for your advent journey.