Advent

What it is

Advent opens the liturgical year. For roughly four weeks the Church watches: for the NativityGlossaryThe feast of the Nativity and its season—God born in the flesh, prolonged through the octave and Christmastide., for Christ's coming in the soul, and for His return in glory. The tone is sober hope—violet vestments, restrained Gloria, propersGlossaryThe variable prayers and chants of the Mass or Office assigned to a given day—introit, collect, readings, and the like. that refuse cheap cheer before the feast.

What it is not

Advent is not a soft Christmas already underway. It is not primarily a shopping countdown. It is not optional mood; it is the Church's public preparation, with its own Masses, OfficeGlossaryThe Church's daily liturgy of psalms, hymns, and readings sanctifying the hours—also called the Liturgy of the Hours., and hymns (Veni, Veni, Emmanuel; Rorate caeli).

How a Catholic encounters it

Keep the Sundays of Advent. Light the wreath if you use one—as prayer, not décor. Delay the full Christmas feast in the house until the vigil or the day itself. Sing the waiting hymns. Confess before the feast. Let longing do its work.