The season of Advent is upon us once more. The Irish Catholic Bishops Conference has launched an Advent Calendar to offer a series of reflections and challenges to us all during this preparation time.

The word Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming”.

Advent is a time of waiting, conversion and of hope. Advent has a twofold character, for it is a time of preparation for the Solemnities of  the Christmas season, in which the first coming of the Son of God to humanity is remembered, and likewise a time when, by remembrance of this, minds and hearts are led to look forward to Christ’s Second Coming at the end of time. For these two reasons Advent is a period of devout and expectant delight.

Welcoming this year’s Advent Calendar Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, said, “While it is has been a very trying year for all us due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the season of Advent offers a new beginning and a promise of hope for better times.  This year we need more than ever ideas and inspiration to help us delve deeper during our hours of isolation and restriction, to find that glimmer of light, that note of joy, that promise of consolation.  The virtual calendar offers ideas to help us spiritually prepare for our Lord’s coming at Christmas with thoughtful reflections as well as challenges for change and conversion. Every day of our lives presents a moment to prepare for the coming of the Lord – we continually stay alert and prepared for the unexpected moment when the Lord comes to us in other people, in our daily experiences, including his presence in the sick, the poor and the stranger.”    

Find the link below.

https://www.catholicbishops.ie/adventcalendar/day-1-sunday-29-november-2020/