A sculpture showing an expectant Mary with Joseph traveling to Bethlehem is seen in a Missouri church during the season of Advent, the time of anticipation and hope before Christmas. Advent begins Nov. 29 this year. (CNS photo/Lisa A. Johnston)
Learn more about this season of preparation and anticipation
By Anna Weaver
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Most Catholics are familiar with Advent’s four Sundays, marked with purple and rose candles on an Advent wreath and the opening of doors on Advent calendars.
But there are still some more obscure prayers, practices and facts about this season of preparation for Christ’s birth. For instance, you may know Advent marks the start of the liturgical year in the Catholic Church. But did you know the season has two parts?
Here are some Advent traditions to learn more about.
The Jesse Tree
You may have seen a Jesse Tree, perhaps in Catholic school, religious education or your own home. But why do we have them?
The Jesse Tree comes from Scripture: Isaiah 11:1: “But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom.”
“The catechetical purpose of the Jesse tree is to reflect upon Scripture passages that trace the lineage of Jesse, the father of King David, to Jesus,” said Jayne Mondoy, the director of the Diocese of Honolulu’s Office of Religious Education and Faith Formation in an email.
HCH Photo: Anna Weaver
“The symbols to illustrate the Scripture verses vary, and I encourage families to be creative. I often say, ‘As you reflect upon God’s love story for you and your family, what symbols emerge when we speak of Creation, Adam and Eve, the Fall of Man, all the way to Jesus is Wisdom, Lord, etc.?’”
Mondoy enjoys when families incorporate their own personal stories and cultures into their Jesse trees. She said one child drew a picture of her grandmother, “a very wise and loving person,” as the symbol for “wisdom,” which traditionally is depicted in Jesse Trees as an oil lamp or book.
“I couldn’t help but think that the way this child related Jesus’ lineage to her own is really pleasing to God!” Mondoy said.
A two-parter
From the first Sunday of Advent through Dec. 16, Advent focuses on the second coming of Christ. But from Dec. 17-24, the emphasis switches to Jesus’ first coming, his birth in a stable in Bethlehem.
As the “Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year and the General Roman Calendar” puts it, “Advent has a twofold character, for it is a time of preparation for the solemnities of Christmas, 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.”
These two themes of the second and first coming of Christ are seen in the daily Scripture readings and Mass prayers.
The second half of Advent is when the O Antiphons begin.
A musical score for part of the O Antiphons.
O Antiphons
The familiar tune of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” incorporates the “O Antiphons.” These seven antiphons, or responses, date back to the eighth century and are included in the Liturgy of the Hours’ Evening Prayers from Dec. 17-24.
Each antiphon connects to the prophecies in the book of Isaiah and relates to Old Testament titles for the Messiah. In Latin they are:
- O Sapientia (O Wisdom)
- O Adonai (O Lord)
- O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse)
- O Clavis David (O Key of David)
- O Oriens (O Rising Sun)
- O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations)
- O Emmanuel (God with us)
“They are a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament to proclaim the coming Christ as the fulfillment not only of Old Testament hopes, but present ones as well,” according to an explanation from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website. “Their repeated use of the imperative ‘Come!’ embodies the longing of all for the Divine Messiah.”
Here are the verses in English as listed in “Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers.”
- Dec. 17: O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge!
- Dec. 18: O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power!
- Dec. 19: O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay!
- Dec. 20: O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom: come and free the prisoners of darkness!
- Dec. 21: O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.
- Dec. 22: O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!
- Dec. 23: O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: come to save us, Lord our God!
A Christmas novena overlaps with the antiphons, starting on Dec. 16 and going through Christmas Eve. It was written by Vincentian Father Charles Vachetta, pastor of the Church of the Immaculate in Turin, Italy, in 1721.
But if you really want to be ambitious, there is another longer “novena” that lasts all Advent.
St. Andrew Novena
Advent begins on the Sunday closest to Nov. 30, the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle. Traditionally, in order to receive the favor you ask of God, you are supposed to pray the following prayer 15 times a day, until Christmas. There is also a shorter nine-day novena option.
“Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.”
There is a special chaplet bracelet to pray the St. Andrew Novena on, but a rosary will do or just counting out the prayers in your head.
The Hawaii Catholic Herald’s digital Advent calendar.
Online Advent Calendar
We’ve curated a digital Advent Calendar to keep you inspired and learning more this Advent season.
There’s an assortment of Catholic content from across the web to enjoy including:
- Videos on the saints whose feast days fall during Advent
- Local Christmas videos
- A reflection for each Sunday of Advent
- Videos to explain Advent’s meaning and structure
But you’ll have to check back every day to open the newest door!
Head to bit.ly/hchadventcalendar2020
P.S. Don’t be confused by the numbering on our calendar. Door 1 is actually Nov. 28, the day before Advent starts, to give you a little jumpstart on the season.
