With the First Sunday in Advent, we begin one of two major cycles of the Church year: Advent-Christmas-Epiphany (the Incarnation Cycle). The other major cycle is Lent-Holy Week-Easter (the Paschal or Resurrection Cycle). In our liturgies, seasonal changes in scripture readings, liturgical texts, music and practice, along with colors and ornamentation, reveal each season’s meaning within the overall shape of the cycle of which it is a part. Advent means “arrival” and “coming.” Advent’s readings weave together the three comings
Advent Tells Us Christ is Near…
