Advent and Christmas 2012
Advent and Christmas Calendar — Christmas Mass Times — Confession — Adoration — Daily Readings
Video Reflections — Catholic Prayers — Bishop Taylor's Homilies — Diocesan Calendar of Events
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
The word "advent" comes from the Latin "adventus" which means coming. The season of Advent, therefore, is the preparation for Jesus Christ's coming, first through the incarnation and ultimately, his coming again in glory at the end of time. This year it runs from Dec. 2-24.
 |
|
|
|
| Pray the O Antiphons for the last seven days of Advent (beginning Dec. 17) leading to the birth of Christ. |
Advent marks the beginning of the Church year. Unlike the secular year, which marks the passage of time, the liturgical year celebrates the sacred mysteries of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
During the four-week season of Advent, we are invited to reflect on the wondrous mystery of Jesus' birth as well as look with joy and hope to his return. We are called to repent of our sins, pray and draw ourselves closer to God.
The Christmas season begins on Dec. 25, Christmas Day and runs through the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. This year, it will be celebrated on Jan. 13. The word "Christmas" comes from the Middle English "Christemasse," which literally means Christ's Mass. This feast commemorates the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. In doing so, God became flesh, making the salvation of the world possible.
The illustration of Mary and Jesus above is a photograph of the icon of Our Lady of Good Counsel at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.
Resources and Links
The following offer many ways to help you get the most out of the Advent and Christmas seasons.
Updated Dec. 21, 2012 Throughout its website, the Diocese of Little Rock provides links to other websites solely for the user’s convenience. By providing these links, the Diocese of Little Rock assumes no responsibility for, nor does it necessarily endorse, these websites, their content or their sponsoring organizations.
