Advent

The calendar year starts on January 1 and ends on December. The Catholic Church’s liturgical year begins after Cristo Rey and is classified as Years A, B and C.

The first Sunday of Advent Year A for 2016 is November 27. The Misa de Gallo begins on December 16 on the third Sunday of Advent. Epiphany of the Lord or the Feast of the Three Kings brings about the first Sunday of ordinary time. After the fifth Sunday of ordinary time, we begin with the first Sunday of Lent. The fifth Sunday of Lent is followed by Passion Sunday and then by Easter Sunday.

Advent focuses on anticipation of the coming of the Lord; Misa de Gallo deals with the novena/nine day preparation for the coming while Christmas day’s theme is joy for the Messiah’s arrival. Lent’s gloomy atmosphere is equated with repentance; Holy Week relates to remembrance of the Lord’s agony and sacrifices while Easter Sunday reminds us of our redemption. Elijah’s prophecy about the world’s joy for the arrival of the Savior begins with Lent.

Let us rejoice that Advent has begun because it will bring hope, joy and love.