Beginning the Church’s liturgical year, Advent is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and all weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas.  The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and to the anniversary of Our Lord’s birth on Christmas. Our Advent readings call us to be alert and ready, not weighted down and distracted by the cares of this world (Lk 21:34-36).  Follow our Advent Calendar here.