The weeks leading up to Christmas can sometimes feel anything but peaceful.
There are gifts to buy, Christmas cards (and emails) to write, meals to plan and gatherings to attend. Our calendars fill up quickly. And before we know it, ready or not, Christmas is here.
But the Catholic Church gives us an opportunity to slow things down. Before we celebrate the Incarnation of Christ, we are all invited to wait.
This is Advent.
The word “Advent” comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival.” It is the season when we prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas. At the same time, Advent reminds us that Christ has promised to come again at the end of time.
In other words, Advent is a season of waiting — but not a passive one. It’s a time for Catholics around the world to prepare, to hope and to make room for Jesus with their family.
Advent is the first season of the Church’s liturgical year. It begins on the Sunday closest to Nov. 30 and leads us to Christmas Eve day. In 2026, Advent will begin on Sunday, Nov. 29.
The Church gives us these weeks for a reason: We need time to prepare.
Just as we spend time preparing our homes for family and friends excited for a visit from jolly old St. Nicholas (aka Santa), Advent gives us much-needed time to prepare our hearts to welcome Christ.
And maybe this invitation to prepare — to wait — is one of the most beautiful things about Advent. Contrary to the loud barrage of “countdowns to Christmas” we hear on TV and social media, the Church quietly tells us we do not have to rush. Instead, we’re given permission to slow down and remember what Christmas is really about.
One of the most familiar symbols of Advent is the Advent wreath. A traditional wreath is made from evergreen branches and has four candles — one for each Sunday of Advent. Three candles are violet, and one is rose.
Each week, we light another candle, and our wreath becomes brighter. This growing light reminds us that Christ, the “Light of the World,” is drawing near.
Just as we practice at Cross Catholic Outreach, your family can use your Advent wreath to celebrate Advent together. This might look like gathering around your wreath before dinner, lighting the candle, reading a short Scripture passage and saying a prayer.
However you choose to do it, the important thing is to make a little room for Jesus in your home and your heart.
The three violet candles remind us that Advent is a season of preparation and reflection. The rose candle reminds us to rejoice because the coming of the Lord is near.
You may also hear the four candles described with themes such as hope, peace, joy and love. These are beautiful devotional themes that can help us reflect on Advent, although they are not official themes assigned by the Church.
Whatever words you use, each candle has one beautiful purpose: It reminds us that the Light is coming.
On the first Sunday of Advent, the Church tells us to be watchful and ready for the Lord.
In the Gospel, Jesus reminds us that we do not know when he will come again, and like the disciples, we are encouraged to be on guard and alert.
Are we paying attention to God? Are we making time for prayer? Or have we allowed the busyness (and the business) of our lives to distract us from what matters most?
Advent is a wonderful time for Catholics to begin again. This week, try to set aside a few quiet minutes each day to pray: “Come, Lord Jesus. Prepare my heart for your coming.”
The second Sunday of Advent brings us the familiar voice of John the Baptist, who says, “Prepare the way of the Lord.”
His message is a simple one: Get ready!
The question is, how do we prepare for Jesus? We can begin by looking into our own hearts. Is there someone we need to forgive? A relationship that needs healing? A sin we need to bring to God? Have we become so busy that we’ve forgotten to make time for him?
While Advent is not about becoming perfect before Christmas, it is about opening our hearts to God and allowing him to transform us. This week, consider receiving the Sacrament of Penance and allow his mercy to prepare your heart.
The third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is Latin for “rejoice.” This week, your priest may wear rose-colored vestments, and at home, you will light the rose candle on your Advent wreath.
Why? Because we recognize that the waiting is almost over, and there is special joy in knowing that the Lord is near.
Even if everything in our lives feels anything but perfect, as Catholics, we can rejoice even in difficult seasons because our hope is in Christ. This week, share your joy with someone else who may need it. Offer a kind word to a stranger. Make that phone call you’ve been putting off. Visit a relative, friend or neighbor who is feeling lonely. Give a little of your time to someone in need. And if you’re looking for another way to share that joy, consider blessing a family in need with food for their table this holiday season.
A simple act of kindness can remind another person who may be struggling that they are not forgotten.
The fourth Sunday of Advent means Christmas is almost here! The Church turns our attention toward Mary and Joseph and the incredible events surrounding the birth of Jesus.
Mary’s response to God’s call is a beautiful example of faith. She did not know everything that would happen, yet she trusted God and said yes.
As we prepare for Christmas, we can ask ourselves, “Am I ready to say yes to God?”
This week, spend some quiet time in prayer asking God to help you welcome Jesus with a heart like Mary’s — open, humble and trusting.
From Dec. 17 to 24, the Church prays in its official Evening Prayer (Vespers) the ancient “O Antiphons.” Each prayer calls upon Christ using a different biblical title, including Wisdom, Lord, Root of Jesse, Key of David, Rising Sun, King of Nations and Emmanuel.
You may recognize these prayers from the hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”
These final days are filled with anticipation! Christmas is almost here, and the Church is longing for the Savior. And so we pray: “Come, Lord Jesus.”
You don’t need to do everything mentioned here. In fact, Advent may be the perfect time to do just a little bit less.
I suggest you choose one or two of the suggestions above to make this season more prayerful. For families with children, Cross Catholic Outreach offers an Advent Activity Guide with a few simple ways to celebrate the season together — choose whatever activity feels meaningful for your family.
And slow down. Turn off the television or put down your phone for a few minutes and simply be still with God.
Finally, there is something beautiful about waiting. We often think we want — and need — everything right now. But Advent teaches us that waiting can be holy.
The people of Israel waited for the Messiah. Mary waited for the birth of her Son. And we wait, too. We wait to celebrate the birth of Jesus. We wait in hope for his return. And in the waiting, we discover that God is already right here with us.
That is the heart of Advent — knowing that soon we will celebrate the extraordinary mystery of our Catholic faith. That is, God loved us so much that he came to live among us.
So, this Advent, don’t worry about countdowns or getting it all right. Instead, take a breath. Slow down. Pray. Make room. And let your heart become a place where Jesus is welcomed.
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