First Sunday of Advent, it will be a Christmas under Covid-19 restrictions
Today we celebrate the beginning of a particular Advent, the first (and hopefully the last) experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic. For four Sundays, until December 25, the Catholic Church will prepare for the first coming to Earth of Jesus Christ and in parishes all over the world passages will be read about the birth of the Savior.
The countdown to a Christmas in full pandemic officially begins: all over the world, the Catholic Church today celebrates the first Sunday of Advent, the cycle of four Sundays preceding Christmas. Furthermore, the new liturgical year begins today. Advent is a word that came from Latin: in the language of the ancient pagans thearrival it was the periodic return to earth of a deity. Like other terms and traditions, Christians also imported this from other religious cultures.
Advent, for Christians, allows the faithful to better prepare themselves for the first coming to Earth of Jesus Christ, which traditionally takes place on December 25 of each year. The second, according to the sacred texts, will take place when there is the end of the World. Christians celebrate Advent from the fourth century after Christ: it is an institution that follows that of Lent, the period immediately preceding the celebration of the Holy Easter of Resurrection.
Covid Bulletin, 30,526 infections and 18 deaths from Coronavirus in Italy today: data from Sunday 19 June
All the readings of the Gospel on the Sundays of Advent refer to passages that speak of the birth of the Son of God. The readings from the Bible, on the other hand, recall the prophecies about the Messiah that were carried out by the ancient prophets. In the last nine days of Advent it is a tradition to celebrate, a devotional practice called “Christmas novena”, while in many parishes the candles of the “Advent wreath” are lit. Children are given the “Advent calendar”, on which, every day, the little ones mark the passing of the days that separate them at the Christmas party.
“Advent is the time to remember the closeness of God, who has come down to us”, said Pope Francis in yesterday’s mass to celebrate the appointment of thirteen new cardinals. “It is also the first message of Advent and of the liturgical year, to recognize God who is close and to tell him:“ Come closer! ”. – The Pontiff continued – He wants to come close to us, but he proposes himself, he does not impose himself; it is up to us not to tire of telling him: “Come!”. Jesus – Advent reminds us – came among us and will come again at the end of time. But, we ask ourselves, what are these comings for if it does not come into our life today? Let’s invite him. “
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