Advent 2024

INTRODUCTION

Advent (from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival”) is a season dedicated to getting ready for Jesus to arrive. For four weeks, we focus our hearts on two things: first, the birth of Jesus, and second, the promise of God coming again to fill the world with even more hope, peace, joy, and love.

Advent is also a time of year when Mary comes center stage. We see her kneeling beside Jesus in the stable; we hear her sing her powerful song, the Magnificat; and if we’re lucky, we might even get to dress up in blue and play her in the Christmas pageant. Other than that, in many churches today, we don’t really give Mary much thought.

For thousands of years, however, Christians have held a special place in their hearts for Mary. All over the world, she’s captured imaginations as Theotokos (“Bearer of God” or “House of God”). But her identity doesn’t stop there! She’s also known by a host of other names: “Our Lady of Sorrows,” “Our Lady of Guadalupe,” “The First Disciple,” “Our Lady of the Palm,” and many more.

So this Advent season, as we prepare for Jesus to arrive, let’s get to know Mary a little bit better: exploring some of her many names and filling out her ordinary, extraordinary, inspiring portrait – all the while learning how we, too, can become bearers of God.

For a downloadable copy of this year’s Advent calendar click here.