To all practicing Catholic, the phrase “Advent Season” is not new. In the Catholic circle the meaning is unambiguous. The season starts another liturgical year. It serves a deeply religious meaning and purpose. It has a long history and it is filled with many customs and religious practices.

However, to some, advent is just that season that ushers us into Christmas. Arguably, many do not understand the reason for the season, how the season is structured, the meaning of the practices, and the contents of the season and the purpose of the symbols therein. This is was that piece sets out to briefly consider.

The term advent is derived from the Latin adventus "coming; arrival." As you can pre-empt, it is all about the “coming of Christ.” Therefore, Advent as a season in Catholic Christianity refers to a period of four Sundays lived in anticipation of the "coming of Christ."

However, it should be stated clearly that the “coming of Christ” is viewed in three different perspectives. The first is the physical coming of Jesus in human history, the nativity in Bethlehem.  The second is the coming and reception of Christ in the heart of the believer. The third is the “Second Coming of Christ,” at the close and end of the ages. Throughout the season of Advent, the mood, the entire liturgy, the theme of readings and teachings are strategically placed to aid deep reflection and preparation for the first and second coming of Jesus. 

According to J. Neil Alexander, “It is impossible to claim with confidence a credible explanation of the origin of Advent". In other words, the exact origin of this period of preparation for Christmas as we now have it today is uncertain. However,  Saint Gregory of Tours testifies that the celebration of Advent began in the fifth century when the Bishop Perpetuus directed that the faithful should observe fasts three times per week starting with the St. Martin's Day on 11 November until Christmas. Also, it is reported that Council of Tours of 567 ordered monks to fast every day in the month of December until Christmas.

Furthermore, in the thirteenth century, although not common, the fast of Advent was still generally observed. Hence, there have been certain forms of preparations for Christmas. The current form of celebrating the season took shape, with some slight modification, after the Second Vatican Council.

Notably, we have many symbolic customs and practices during the season of Advent that are worthy of mention. For example, the liturgical colour for Advent has been violet or purple with an exception to the third Sunday of Advent, the Gaudete Sunday, where rose may be used instead. Notably, the liturgical colours purple and rose are highly symbolic.  In ancient times, purple was the colour of royalty because purple dye was costly and rare. Hence, the colour is symbolic of the coming of the new born king.

Besides, purple is symbolic of penance, preparation, and sacrifice. Observably, Advent has a similar character with Lent, only not as severe as Lent. Hence, Advent has also been called "Little Lent." This explains why Gloria - one of the most festive hymns during Mass – is not sung. The liturgical music also shows the character of the season. The songs are solemn and herald great expectation. From the “Late Advent Weekdays,” that is, 17th to 24th December, the Great Advent 'O antiphons' are sung. The prominent one among them is the song, "O come, O come, Emmanuel"

The practice of lighting Advent wreath is not uncommon. The candles are symbolic as they carry specific names and meaning. The first candle is called the Prophecy Candle or Candle of Hope. The second candle is the Bethlehem Candle or the Candle of Preparation. The third (usually pink) candle is the Shepherd Candle or Candle of Joy. The fourth candle, a purple one, is called the Angel Candle or the Candle of Love. And the last (white) candle is the Christ Candle.

With all of these, what is expected of a Catholic during the Season of Advent is clear. It is season of preparation for the coming of Jesus. Special attention should be paid to the colours, readings, reflections, colours, etc. All these come together to provide a suitable ambience for deep and sober reflection.

Notwithstanding, one beautiful way to anticipate Christmas in this season of Advent is to look up to St. Joseph. Saint Joseph can help us to live a most fruitful Advent. He stands a better chance of teaching us how we should prepare for the coming of Jesus since he himself anticipated His coming. This has more to do with spiritual and interior preparation than material. To this effect, we can pick all the virtues of St. Joseph, especially three prominent ones. Firstly, we should cultivate silence which is a fundamental attitude to enter into deep prayer and get away from the noise and distraction around us. Secondly, we should be prayerful. Saint Joseph was a man of prayer, evident in his interior life. Thirdly, we should practice obedience, which is the ability to surrender totally to the will of God. It is therefore, not out of place to celebrate this advent with the help of St. Joseph.