Advent Season Is Done; Christmas Season Starts
The 2017 Advent Season of?icially began December 2-3 with the First Sunday of Advent. As explained by Fr. Bong Tupino in his homily during the 6 pm First Advent mass, the Advent season is not the Christmas season, which only begins on Christmas Eve, December 24, and ends on January 8, 2018. Advent is the four weeks of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. The Advent season offers the opportunity for parishioners to share in the ancient longing for the coming of the Messiah. With each week as his Advent, or “coming,” draws nearer, another candle is lit, with each candle dispelling the darkness a little more. Thus, the Advent wreath helps to spiritually contemplate the great drama of salvation history that surrounds the birth of God Incarnate who comes to redeem mankind.
During Advent, the Gloria of the Mass is omitted, so that the return of the angels’ song at Christmas has an effect of novelty. Not just at the CTK Main Church but in all the village masses last December 2-3, the advent wreath was blest by the mass presider, followed by the lighting of the first candle by a pre-selected parish family. Last December 2nd, it was Father Bong Tupino who blessed the Advent Wreath in the main church. Fr. Bong recited the words of the prophet Isaiah:
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, As they rejoice before you as at harvest, as men make merry when dividing spoils.
For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David’s throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever.
Parish Pastoral Council Head Lay Coordinator Bert and Marie Anne Santos, with daughter Kristina and grandson Enrique led the prayer on the lighting of the first candle while the Santoses’ son Chito (Enrique’s father) read the prayer in lighting of the Advent Candle.
There is a lot o f symbolism in the four candles of the wreath:
• The 1st Sunday of Advent symbolizes Hope wi t h t h e “Prophet’s Candle” reminding us that Jesus is coming.
• The 2nd Sunday of Advent symbolizes Fa i t h wi t h t h e “Bethlehem Candle” reminding the faithful of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.
• The 3rd Sunday of Advent, also called Gaudete Sunday, symbolizes Joy with the “Shepherd’s Candle”, a reminder of the Joy the world experienced at the coming birth of Jesus.
• The 4th Sunday of Advent symbol izes Peace with the “Angel’s Candle”, a reminder to the faithful of the message of the angels: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.”
Immediately after the 6 pm mass, Fr. Bong Tupino led the congregation outside to the garden for the traditional lighting of the CTK Christmas tree.
