While the New Year begins on January 1 for the rest of the world, the New Liturgical Year in the Church begins with the first Sunday of Advent, which falls towards the end of November and, this year it is on November 30.
Advent, which lasts for about four weeks before Christmas, is a specific time set aside by the Church to invite the faithful to ponder over the greatest event in human history — the birth of Jesus Christ, His first advent into the world as well as to contemplate on His second advent at the end of times.
Advent symbolises the spiritual journey of individuals affirming that Christ has once come, that He is present in the world today, and that He will come again.
While there are different symbols to mark the Advent season, they are only external expressions and are not as important as the inner call to prayer, retrospection and assimilation of the person of Jesus Christ who is always keen on making his abode in our hearts.
Father Dominic Emmanuel is a founder-member of Parliament of Religion
