Advent Customs

Advent Customs In many cultures, it is a common practice to mark a special Advent observance in order to better prepare oneself spiritually for Christmas. Many of these observances begin in the final nine days of Advent. The Philippines In the Philippines, Christmas is preceded by a novena of dawn Masses called Misa de Gallo (Rooster Mass) in Spanish or Simbang Gabi (Night Mass) in Filipino. This series of nine Masses begins on December 16 and continues until December 24. These Masses are all held before dawn, sometimes beginning as early as three o’clock in the morning, which explains the reference to both night and roosters! Attendance at these Masses is meant to show the believer’s devotion to God as well as to heighten the anticipation for the approaching Nativity of Jesus. It is popularly believed that the completion of this novena will also see the granting by God of a special prayer made by the devotee. Following the Masses, attendees eat traditional holiday breakfast food, which is frequently sold by vendors outside the Church or which may be prepared for the family at home. Mexico In Mexico, the novena which is celebrated is called Las Posadas, which is Spanish for “lodging” or “accommodations”. This nine-day celebration begins on December 16 and ends on December 24 and takes place in the evenings. The nine days represent the nine months of pregnancy, specifically the pregnancy of Mary with Jesus. Each evening, the members of the community move in procession through the community. The person at the head of the procession carries a paper lantern and the procession is followed by musicians. In the procession are individuals representing Mary and Joseph (or carrying statues of Mary and Joseph) and accompanied by shepherds and angels as well as pilgrims carrying sacred images. The procession moves through the community with Mary and Joseph looking for lodging. At each house, when Mary and Joseph are recognized and permitted to enter, the entire group enters and kneels around the nativity scene to pray (usually the Rosary). At the end of each night’s journey, Christmas carols will be sung, children will break open star-shaped piñatas, and there will be a feast. Catholics Worldwide In Catholic prayer tradition, the recitation of the O Antiphons begins on December 17 and concludes on December 23, with a different antiphon being recited each day. These antiphons are found in the Liturgy of the Hours, which are the daily prayer used by the Church. They are sung either before or after the Magnificat, which itself is sung during Vespers (evening prayer). They are called O Antiphons because each begins with the letter-word O. Each antiphon is a name of Christ, one of His attributes mentioned in Scripture. December 17 O Sapientia (O Wisdom) December 18 O Adonai (O Lord) December 19 O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse) December 20 O Clavis David (O Key of David) December 21 O Oriens (O Dayspring) December 22 O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations) December 23 O Emmanuel (O With us is God) Visit the following site each day for the O Antiphon. You will find a commentary, a photo for reflection and the antiphon. You can also hear the antiphon chanted by Benedictine Sisters. http://www.benetvision.org/news_pages/oantiphons.html .

Load more