This Sunday 1st December is the official start to Advent in the Catholic tradition. Advent covers the four Sundays before Christmas during which Catholics prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth and anticipate his coming again at the end of time. The colour of Advent is a rose-purple, like the sky just before sunrise. This is the time of year when the Church waits in joyful hope to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the light of the world.
Christmas celebrates Christ’s birth from 25 December, including the Feast of Mary, Mother of God on 1 January, the Epiphany of the Lord on 7 January, up until the feast of the Baptism of the Lord on the Sunday after 6 January. White or gold is used during the Christmas period in the church since it is a festive and joyful colour.
Advent, the season of preparation leading up to Christmas, holds special significance for Catholics in Australia. Advent customs and traditions in Australia help Catholics to prepare both spiritually and culturally for the joyous celebration of Christmas. They foster a sense of anticipation, reflection, and communal worship during this sacred season.
Rightly so, we are quick to criticise the commercial side of Christmas. Beforehand, we are bombarded with advertisements telling us what we need; what children must have. It can lead us to lose the real meaning of Christmas. The buying of presents for other people brings us out of ourselves. It leads us to think of others, to consider what other people might want or need rather than just thinking about ourselves and what I want. It helps us to love one another.
The tradition of giving at Christmas can be traced back to the very first Christmas. Wise man came from the East, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Mt 2:11), which they gave to the child Jesus, who was born into poverty. They remind us that giving to others at Christmas is only complete if we give something to God and to the poor. Lord, may I be generous in helping those who are in need this Christmas. Amen.(The Light, Advent & Christmas Daily Reflections, p.6 2024).
Gift-giving, symbolising God’s gift of Jesus to humanity, is a shared tradition with the global community. Christmas gifts are exchanged and often placed under the Christmas tree. Families unite for festive meals featuring roast meats, seafood, and traditional Christmas desserts like plum pudding. Christmas lunch is a time for joyous gatherings, further emphasising the communal spirit of the season. Australian Catholics find the perfect balance between religious reverence and cultural celebration during this joyous occasion.
This Christmas we encourage our students, staff, and families to embody this spirit of Advent by remembering others who are less fortunate and may not have the opportunity to celebrate the joy of Christmas due to hardship and financial strain. We want people who can and are willing to assist others by providing the gift of food items and presents through supporting local charities such as the upcoming St. Vincent De Paul Christmas hamper appeal at school.
Christmas holds great religious significance for Australian Catholics, blending traditional customs with unique Australian elements to create a joyous and meaningful celebration. These customs foster a sense of community and celebration among Australian Catholics during this special time of year. These customs can include:
Advent wreaths: Many Catholic families in Australia have an Advent wreath in their homes. It typically consists of a green wreath with four candles, one of which is lit on each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas:
Advent calendars: Advent calendars are popular among Catholic children. These calendars have 24 doors or windows, each of which can be opened to reveal a small gift or piece of chocolate, counting down the days until Christmas.
Nativity scenes: Nativity scenes are commonly displayed in homes and churches. These depict the birth of Jesus and are a visual reminder of the reason for the Christmas season. Advent Retreats and Reflections: Many Catholic parishes in Australia offer Advent retreats, missions, or reflection sessions to help parishioners deepen their spiritual understanding of Advent and prepare their hearts for the birth of Jesus.
Carol services: Advent is also marked by the singing of Advent hymns and carols, which focus on the anticipation of Christ’s birth. Parishioners often gather for special Advent carol services, which may contain readings from scripture that tell the story of the lead up to Christmas, or concerts. Carols by Candlelight, popular outdoor events, bring families together in parks, singing Christmas carols by candlelight and often raising funds for charitable causes.
Attending Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve is a cherished tradition, offering a solemn and festive service with music, prayers, and candle lighting to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Alternatively, Mass on Christmas Day or in the early evening of Christmas Eve is attended by those unable to make the midnight service. Christmas morning Mass is a central celebration for many Catholics, commemorating the birth of Jesus and partaking in Holy Communion.
The Catholic Parish of Toukley and Lake Munmorah provides opportunities for all families to help prepare both spiritually and culturally for the joyous celebration of Christmas through mass and specific events.
24 Hours for The Lord: This Advent, we invite you to a special opportunity for peace, re-flection, and spiritual renewal: 24 Hours for The Lord. Come and spend time in the presence of Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration as we pre-pare our hearts for Christmas. Join us for 24 hours of perpetual Adoration from 9:00 AM on the 7th of December to 9:00 AM on the 8th of December St. Mary’s Parish Centre, Toukley. This is a sacred time to pause, draw closer to Christ, and find the peace that only He can offer in the busyness of the season. Whether you can stay for a few minutes or commit to a full hour, your time with the Lord is a gift to both you and our parish community. We encourage everyone to participate!
Christmas Prayers & Carols St Mary’s 16th Dec 6pm: Please join us for a beautiful night of prayer and carols.
Damien Tomsett
Assistant Principal, Evangelisation and Catechesis
