Christians worldwide observed the first day of the season of Advent on Sunday, Nov. 27, marking the time for reflection, introspection and preparation leading up to Christmas.

|PIC1|Advent, the liturgical period preceding Christmas, begins in Western churches on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and in Eastern churches in mid-November, and observed by many Christians as a season of prayer, fasting, and penitence.

In recent years, many churches have started to treat the season of Advent as a December version of Lent, the 40 days of prayer and fasting leading up to Easter. Advent concerts, retreats, prayer services and penitential services have become common in many Roman Catholic, Lutheran and Episcopal churches, as well as some Presbyterian and Methodist churches.

In the Philippines, outgoing Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Archbishop Fernando Capalla yesterday expressed hope that the start of the season of Advent would help transform the hearts of the Filipino people for the good of the country.

“More than just being a fact in history that is celebrated year after year, His birth is a way of salvation meant to realise God’s dream for us and the world," Capalla told the Manila Bulletin.

This is why, he said, that even when there are those who say that the country’s situation is hopeless because of the blind teachers, dysfunctional politics, bondage to materialism, ignorance, and poverty, Christians still find hope.

That hope in the coming of the Saviour brings is rekindled in the people’s hearts whenever they light up a "parol" (Christmas lantern) or go to "Simbang Gabi" (dawn mass), noted the Davao prelate.

|TOP|He explained that this is because in Advent, waiting is also welcoming.

"We wait and welcome God’s offer of salvation to us by preparing a room for our Saviour in our hearts where the change from darkness to light begins," he said.

"Jesus born and alive in our hearts is what will transform us into a people of light. Enlightened by Jesus Christ we will reconcile with God and neighbour, restore peace and order in our communities, and rebuild a nation that is free of corruption and Godlessness," Capalla added.

In Eastern Orthodox churches – where it is also called the Nativity Fast, Winter Lent, or the Christmas Lent – Advent lasts forty days, beginning on Nov. 15, and in other churches from the Sunday nearest to St. Andrew's Day (Nov. 30) until Christmas.

In Western Christianity, Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. The earliest Advent can begin is Nov. 27 and the latest is Dec. 3. Very often Advent begins on the Sunday after the American day of Thanksgiving.







Joseph Alvarez
Christian Today Correspondent