Advent and Hanukkah begin on December 2
Advent starts on Sunday
Advent marks the beginning of the Catholic Church’s liturgical year. It is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading to the celebration of Christmas. The first Sunday of Advent is December 2. Advent lasts until Monday, December 24.
Many Catholic and Christian families celebrate the season by lighting candles in an Advent wreath. Usually, there are three purple candles and one rose candle. The purple stands for prayers, penance, sacrifices, and acts of charity that we make at this time. The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, which signifies that the time of preparation is nearly over and it is close to Christmas.
Here is a sample prayer you may say:
Lord our God,
we praise you for your son, Jesus Christ:
he is Emmanuel, the hope of the peoples,
he is the wisdom that teaches and guides us,
he is the savior of every nation.
Lord God,
let your blessing come upon us
as we light the candles of this wreath.
May the wreath and its light
be a sign of Christ’s promise to bring us salvation.
May he come quickly and not delay.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
From Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers
Hanukkah begins on Sunday
This year, Hanukkah also begins the evening of Sunday, December 2, and ends in the evening of Monday, December 10. The eight-day Jewish celebration commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian Greek army, and the subsequent miracle of rededicating the holy temple in Jerusalem and restoring its menorah, or lamp.
Hanukkah often is called the Festival of Lights and is marked by the lighting of the menorah, and celebrating with traditional foods, games and gifts.
Saint Leo is home to the Saint Leo University Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies (CCJS) whose mission is to build mutual respect, understanding, and appreciation among Jews, Catholics, and all people of goodwill by providing opportunities for interfaith education and dialogue.
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