Season of Advent

Advent has a twofold nature: It prepares us for Christmas, when we recall Christ's first coming among us, and it is also a time when we look forward to his second coming at the end of the ages. Advent is a season of joyful expectation.

During Advent, each Sunday's gospel has a specific focus. The Old Testament readings, especially those taken from Isaiah, are prophecies about the Messiah and messianic times. The selections from the writings of the apostles present exhortations and instructions on different themes of this season.

The season of Advent brings us the magnificent vision of life and hope for the future given to us by Christ.  We are thus reminded of the true meaning of Christmas season - that Jesus Christ, our brother in our humanity and our God in His divinity is about to arrive. 

Ordo: Liturgical Calendar 2007-2008. Concacan Inc., 2007.

http://www.catholic.org/clife/advent/advent.php?id=36