Advent and Christmas Time
Advent and Christmas Time are the Roman Rite seasons that prepare for and celebrate the Lord's nativity and manifestation.
Advent
Advent begins the Roman liturgical year and has a double character: preparation for the solemnities of Christ's first coming and expectation of his coming in glory. Its later days, especially 17–24 December, turn more directly toward the nativity.[1]
Advent is a season of devout and joyful expectation, not simply a shortened Lent. Violet vestments and restrained decoration express preparation, while the liturgy retains Alleluia and does not impose a universal Advent fast in current Latin discipline.
Christmas Time
Christmas Time begins with Evening Prayer I of the Nativity and celebrates the incarnation, birth, manifestation, and early mysteries of Jesus. Its Roman observances include the Holy Family, Mary Mother of God, Epiphany, and the Baptism of the Lord.[2]
The season does not liturgically begin before Christmas Day, even where cultural celebration starts earlier. Eastern Catholic churches follow their own Nativity fasts, calendars, and festal cycles, some celebrating on civil dates that differ from the Gregorian calendar.
References
- Back to citation Catechism: The Liturgical Year — Paragraphs 1163–1173 on the annual cycle.
- Back to citation Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy — Sections 96–123 on Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany.