Welcome to Advent | Advent Resources
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A time to meditate on the mysteries of our faith
"Advent often passes quickly amid the busyness of our lives, but these days offer us a beautiful opportunity to pause, reflect and grow in love and hope."
- Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez, Advent Message for 2025 -
ADVENT (ad-venio in Latin, or "to come to") – the four Sundays and the weekdays preceding Dec. 25 – is a period to slow down and ponder the incarnation of God. The period is set aside to both remember Christ's first coming as a babe in Bethlehem and remind ourselves that we are awaiting His return.
Advent Resources
- Blessing of an Advent Wreath at Home (PDF) - Office of Worship
- About Advent Wreaths
- Blessing of a Christmas Tree
- Blessing of a Christmas Manger or Nativity Scene
- The "O Antiphons" of Advent
- Lectio Divina for Advent
- Commentary on the Proper Prayers of Advent from the Roman Missal
- Liturgical Notes for Advent
Beginning the Church’s liturgical year, the Advent season is a time of preparation that directs the hearts and minds of the faithful to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and to the anniversary of Jesus’ birth on Christmas. From the earliest days of the Church, people have been fascinated by Jesus’ promise to come back. But the Scripture readings during Advent say not to waste time with predictions. Advent is not about speculation.
The Advent readings call the Church to be alert and ready, not weighted down and distracted by the cares of this world (Lk 21:34-36). Like Lent, the liturgical color for Advent is purple since both are seasons that prepare for great feast days. Advent also includes an element of penance in the sense of preparing, quieting and disciplining hearts for the full joy of Christmas.
Ahead of Christmas, parishioners will notice some differences at Mass. For instance, the priest wears violet or purple during Advent, except for the Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) when rose may be worn. Aside from what the priest wears, other aesthetic changes in the Church can include a decorated church and altar.
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Find new ways to draw deeper into your faith with these articles from The Texas Catholic Herald- Brian Garcia-Luense: Preparing for Christ now and at the end of time
- Adam Brill: Bringing the Mass to your holiday table
- Kristine Kerlin: Walking with grief during the holidays
- Advent reflections from the radiant women doctors of the Church
The final days of Advent, from Dec. 17 to Dec. 24, the focus moves to preparation for the celebrations of the Nativity of the Lord at Christmas. In particular, the “O” Antiphons are sung during this period and have been by the Church since at least the eighth century. They are a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament to proclaim the coming of Christ as the fulfillment not only of Old Testament hopes, but of present ones as well.
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Advent Practices and Opportunities
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Lighting an Advent wreath is a time-honored custom in the Church.
Traditionally, Advent wreaths are constructed of a circle of evergreen branches into which four candles are inserted, representing the four weeks of Advent. Ideally, three candles are purple and one is rose, but white candles can also be used.
The progressive lighting of the candles symbolizes the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord’s first coming into the world and the anticipation of his second coming to judge the living and the dead.
- The purple candles in particular symbolize the prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices and goods works undertaken at this time.
- The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday when the priest also wears rose vestments at Mass.
- Gaudete Sunday is the Sunday of rejoicing because the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of Advent when their preparation is now half over and they are close to Christmas.
Sponsor a disadvantaged family
Your parish might host an Angel Tree, a program which supports local families in need of assistance for the holidays this year. Call your parish and ask how you can help sponsor a a family in your community. Also, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston seeks Angel Sponsors to assist with its "Share Your Blessings" program by providing items such as clothing, blankets, and toiletries for disadvantaged families and toys for the children of these families. In years' past, more than 3,000 were served through this program.To learn more visit, Catholic Charities' website or call 713-874-6727.
Countdown to Christmas
Using an Advent calendar – a special calendar with "windows" that can be opened for the 24 days before Christmas – is another way to mentally gear up for Dec. 25.By patiently opening the windows one day at a time, you build up to Christmas as a joyous feast. Visit the U.S. Bishops' Advent website for a printable Advent calendar.
Help others
Advent is an opportune period to offer service to friends, neighbors, and strangers as recognition of Christ's coming to us through our brothers and sisters.Contact Catholic Charities, San Jose Clinic, or your local chapter of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul for Archdiocesan opportunities to help those in need this season.
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Show and tell your spiritual genealogy
Decorating a Jesse Tree is another popular Advent tradition. Each day of Advent, an ornament representing key persons in salvation history leading to the birth of Christ is placed on a tree and Scripture verses pertaining to each person are read. The symbolic ornaments are traditionally handmade, and those placed on the Jesse Tree starting Dec. 17 represent the "O Antiphons" of Advent. The popular hymn, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is a compilation of these seven prayers set to music.
Pray the Rosary
In his 2025 Advent Message, Archbishop Vásquez said, "Praying the Rosary or reflecting on the mysteries of Mary’s life can help us draw closer to her Son and embrace the hope that Advent brings."Don't forget: the celebrations keep going after Dec. 25.
Although the world may quickly tire of carols and lights after Dec. 25, the Church has only begun to celebrate the great mystery of God with us – Emmanuel. The days after Christmas offer a chance to relish the feasts of St. Stephen, the Holy Innocents, the Holy Family, the Solemnity of Mary, Epiphany, and the Baptism of the Lord.
Spending time with the Scriptures from Advent until the end of the Christmas season calls us to set our hearts on the things that really matter, the things that really last.
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Holiday recipesHolidays mean gatherings, and gatherings mean food! This season, try one the recipes featured in the Texas Catholic Herald.
- Winter Minestrone: Soup for your soul and loved ones
Try this simple one-pot, made-in-advance meal that's perfect for a busy weekend, Christmas Eve or even after Midnight Mass! - Zataar Almonds: A snack for the ages
This roasted almonds is easy and great for any holiday snack board. - Apple Pie Oat Bars (By Brother Andrew)
Molasses... butter... cinnamon... What else do you need? - A New Year’s recipe: Chocolate & Rose Éclairs (By Brother Andrew)
On St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s deathbed, it’s said she longed for a chocolate éclair. Try this one! - St. Francis Almond & Spice Cookies (By Brother Andrew)
Cinnamon and cloves spice up this tasty almond cookie.
- Winter Minestrone: Soup for your soul and loved ones
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