What Do You Know About The Advent?

Purple is the usual liturgical color in Western Christianity for Advent. This color symbolizes penance, preparation, and anticipation. Advent is a time of reflection and repentance, as Christians prepare for the coming of Christ. Purple is often associated with royalty and is used to represent the majesty and sovereignty of Jesus. It is also a color of mourning, highlighting the seriousness of the season and the need for spiritual introspection. Overall, purple is the traditional color chosen to set the tone for Advent and to remind believers of the significance of this time of preparation.

In its Latin version, advent means "coming". This refers to the arrival or coming of someone or something, particularly in the context of the Christian liturgical season of Advent, which anticipates the coming of Jesus Christ. The word "advent" is derived from the Latin word "adventus", which means "arrival" or "approach". It signifies the expectation and preparation for the arrival of something significant or the beginning of a new era.

Gaudete Sunday is the correct answer because it refers to the 3rd Sunday of Advent. The term "Gaudete" comes from the Latin word for "rejoice" and it signifies a shift in the liturgical season towards a more joyful anticipation of Christmas. On this day, the color of the liturgical vestments changes to rose, symbolizing the joy and hope of the imminent arrival of Christ. It is a time to celebrate and rejoice in the coming of our Savior.

The Lutheran Book of Worship lists blue as the preferred color for Advent. This is because blue symbolizes hope and expectation, which are central themes of the Advent season. Blue is also associated with the Virgin Mary, who plays a significant role in the Christmas story. Using blue as the liturgical color during Advent helps to create a sense of anticipation and preparation for the coming of Christ.

Advent is the nearest Sunday to St. Andrew's Day. Advent is a Christian tradition that marks the beginning of the liturgical year and the preparation for the arrival of Jesus Christ. It starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, which is the closest Sunday to St. Andrew's Day, celebrated on November 30th. Therefore, St. Andrew's Day determines the timing of the start of Advent.

Parousia is the correct answer because it is the Greek word that translates into advent. In Christian theology, Parousia refers to the second coming of Christ, which is often associated with the Advent season in the Christian calendar. The word signifies the anticipation and arrival of something or someone important, which aligns with the meaning of advent.

The equivalent of advent in Eastern Christianity is the Nativity Fast. This is a period of fasting and preparation leading up to the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It is observed for 40 days, starting on November 15th and ending on December 24th. During this time, Eastern Christians abstain from certain foods and engage in prayer and reflection to spiritually prepare for the Christmas season.

The Gelasian Sacramentary is the earliest known liturgical book of the Roman Catholic Church and contains the first clear reference to Advent. It was compiled in the 8th century and includes prayers and rituals for various liturgical seasons, including Advent. This reference marks the beginning of the formal recognition and celebration of Advent in the Western churches. The Codex, Sefer Torah, and Exultet Scroll are not directly related to Advent and do not provide the first clear reference to it.

In the Ambrosian Rite, advent follows St. Martin's Day. The Ambrosian Rite is a liturgical tradition used in the Archdiocese of Milan, Italy. St. Martin's Day, also known as the Feast of St. Martin, is celebrated on November 11th. It marks the beginning of the Advent season in the Ambrosian Rite, which is a period of preparation and anticipation leading up to Christmas. This tradition is specific to the Ambrosian Rite and may differ from other liturgical calendars.

The advent signifies the second coming of Christ. This refers to the belief in Christianity that Jesus Christ will return to Earth in the future, after his initial birth and death, to judge the living and the dead. It is seen as a significant event that will mark the end of the world and the beginning of Christ's eternal reign.