The Progression of Advent

1st Sunday of Advent – HOPE

The announcement that the Lord is coming. A reference to End Times.

St Andrew (Nov 30) [some years]

Feast of St. Barbara (December 4)

Feast of St. Nicholas (December 6)

Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8)

2nd Sunday of Advent – LOVE, PEACE, or FAITH (depending on a local parish and/or denomination customs)

The voices of Isaiah and John the Baptist tell us to prepare.

Feast of St. Lucy (December 13)

3rd Sunday of Advent – JOY (GAUDETE)

A joyful warning from the Lord's heralds.

Advent Ember Days - days of extra fasting/prayer at the turn of the seasons

  • Wednesday (the "Golden Mass"): commemoration of the Annunciation

  • Friday: commemoration of the Visitation

  • Saturday: "Holy Impatience" over the coming of the Lord, both in the manger and in glory at the end of time.

4th Sunday of Advent – LOVE or PEACE (MARY’S SUNDAY)

More reflections on Isaiah, John, and our Lady presaging the Lord's arrival. NOTE: it’s still the  fourth Sunday of Advent until evening, even if Christmas falls on Monday

The "Octave" Before Christmas & The Greater Antiphons

“O Antiphons” are phrases used at the opening of Morning Prayer on 7 days before Christmas eve, or before Christmas. 

Dec. 17 Antiphon:

"O Wisdom, who camest out of the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly: come and teach us the way of prudence" (Eccles 24.5; Wisd 8.1). 

Dec. 18 Antiphon:

"O Adonai, and Leader of the house of Israel, who didst appear to Moses in the flame of the burning bush, and didst give unto him the law on Sinai: come and with outstretched arm and redeem us" (Ex. 3.2, 20.1).

Dec. 19 Antiphon:

"O Root of Jesse, who standest for an ensign of the people, before whom kings shall keep silence, and unto whom the Gentiles shall make their supplication: come to deliver us, and tarry not" (Is. 11.10).

Dec. 20 Antiphon:

"O Key of David and Sceptre of the house of Israel, who openest and no man shutteth, who shuttest and no man openeth: come and bring forth from the prison-house, the captive that sitteth in darkness and in the shadow of death" (Is. 22.22; Apoc. 3.7; Lk.1.79).

 Dec. 21 Antiphon:

"O Dawn of the East, Brightness of light eternal, and Sun of Justice, come and enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death" (Ps. 106.10).

Dec. 22 Antiphon:

"O King of the Gentiles and the desired of them, Thou cornerstone that makest both one, come and deliver man, whom Thou didst form out of the dust of the earth" (Agg. 2.8; Eph.2.14,20).

 Dec. 23 Antiphon:

"O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, the expected of the nations and their Saviour, come to save us, O Lord our God" (Is. 7.14, 33.22).

The Vigil of Christmas (Christmas Eve).

The imminence of the twofold coming of the Lord.