“Every year Advent reminds us that grace—and that is God’s will to save man—is more powerful than sin.”
Saint Pope John Paul II

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We come once again to Advent, the beginning of the liturgical year and the great season of waiting. The Christian life has a permanent Advent quality, for we are always expecting the coming of the Lord. Now, Jesus came, He will definitively come, and He is coming even now—for the risen Lord wants to take up residence in us today. So Advent is, perhaps most immediately, a preparation for that coming; we are getting ourselves ready to receive the Christ who wants, even now, to be born in us.  May the moments below assist us in our prayer, penance, and hope for our Lord Jesus to be born anew in us.

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Scroll Down This Page To Find The Following

Advent Schedule

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Advent Resources

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What is Advent?

Advent is a season of waiting and expectation, a time to prepare our hearts and homes for the celebration of Christmas—the birth of Christ and the Nativity of Our Lord. This four-week period marks the beginning of the new liturgical year, offering a transition from Ordinary Time into a season filled with hope and anticipation.

The history of Advent dates back to the fifth century when Christians observed it as a time of fasting, beginning on St. Martin de Tours’ Feast Day (November 11) and concluding on Christmas Day. Today, Advent always starts four Sundays before Christmas, around the time of St. Andrew’s Feast Day (November 30).

The season of Advent can sometimes feel overshadowed by the busyness of holiday preparations, but its purpose is deeply meaningful. To help you keep track of this special time, we’ve answered some frequently asked questions about the Advent season, its Sundays, and the key dates that follow Christmas in the Church calendar.

Advent 2024: Dates to Remember

When does Advent begin?
Advent starts on Sunday, December 1, 2024, and marks the beginning of the new liturgical year.

When does Advent end?
Advent concludes on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24, 2024.

Sundays of Advent

First Sunday of Advent

• Date: December 1, 2024
• This day marks the start of the Advent season and the transition to a new liturgical cycle, moving from Cycle B to Cycle C.

Second Sunday of Advent

• Date: December 8, 2024

Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday)

• Date: December 15, 2024
• Gaudete means “rejoice.” On this Sunday, a pink candle is lit on the Advent wreath, symbolizing joy. At Mass, priests and deacons wear pink vestments to reflect the joyful anticipation of Christ’s birth.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

• Date: December 22, 2024
• This final Sunday prepares us for Christmas, just two days away.

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Key Liturgical Seasons and Celebrations

How are Advent dates determined?
Advent always begins on the Sunday closest to St. Andrew the Apostle’s Feast Day (November 30), whether before or after. This year, St. Andrew’s feast falls on a Wednesday, with Advent beginning earlier on Sunday, December 1.

What season follows Advent?
The Christmas season begins on Christmas Eve with vigil Masses and concludes with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, celebrated on Monday, January 8, 2024.

When are the 12 days of Christmas?
The 12 days of Christmas begin on December 25 and end on January 5, the eve of Epiphany.

When is Epiphany?
Epiphany is celebrated on January 6, marking the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child. In some regions, this feast is observed on the Sunday between January 2 and 8.

As we journey through Advent, may this season fill you with hope, peace, and joyful anticipation of Christ’s coming.

Advent Practices

Lighting an Advent wreath is a time-honored custom in the Church.  Embracing the tradition of lighting the Advent wreath, the Church engages in a symbolic journey that mirrors the profound anticipation of our Lord’s past and future comings. Crafted traditionally with evergreen branches forming a circle, this wreath hosts four candles, each representing the four Sundays of Advent and embodying the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love.

Ideally, three regal purple candles and one rose candle adorn the wreath, with an option for white candles. The purple candles symbolize the devout practices of prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices during this sacred time. A unique tradition in some homes and parishes involves lighting a fifth, larger white candle on Christmas Eve or Day, placed at the wreath’s center, symbolizing the joyous birth of Jesus.

Now, let’s dive into the enchanting progression of each Advent Sunday!

1. First Sunday – Hope. As we ignite the first purple candle, we not only anticipate the birth of Christ but inaugurate a new liturgical season. Aptly named the “Prophecy Candle,” it harkens back to Isaiah’s foretelling in the Old Testament, unveiling the promises fulfilled by the birth of Jesus.
2. Second Sunday – Peace. The second purple candle, known as the “Bethlehem Candle,” resonates with Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. Building on the Prophecy Candle’s significance, it reflects the hope for peace on Earth after the division, destruction, and dispersion of the kingdom in the Old Testament.
3. Third Sunday – Joy. The rose-colored “Shepherd’s Candle” graces the Advent wreath on Gaudete Sunday, emanating joy as we approach Christmas. Reminding us of the shepherds’ joyful journey to Bethlehem, it signifies the midpoint of Advent, bringing us closer to Christmas and mirroring the joyous anticipation of these humble shepherds.
4. Fourth Sunday – Love. The final purple “Angel’s Candle” lights up on the Sunday before Christmas, representing the ultimate love of God in sending His only Son. Eagerly awaiting the new Kingdom of God on Earth, it adds a poignant touch to the Advent journey, underscoring the profound love that initiated the Christmas story.

Countdown to Christmas. Using an Advent calendar – a special calendar with “windows” that can be opened for the 24 days before Christmas – is another way to mentally gear up for Dec. 25. By patiently opening the windows one day at a time, you build up to Christmas as a joyous feast.

Show and tell your spiritual genealogy. Decorating a Jesse Tree is another popular Advent tradition. Each day of Advent, an ornament representing key persons in salvation history leading to the birth of Christ are placed on a tree and Scripture verses pertaining to each person are read. The symbolic ornaments are traditionally handmade, and those placed on the Jesse Tree starting Dec. 17 represent the “O Antiphons” of Advent. The popular hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is a compilation of these seven prayers set to music.

Giving Opportunities

Angel Giving Program! Be an Angel to a Family In Need. Pick up a stocking after all Mass times on 11/23 & 11/24 and return it by Sunday, 12/8 filled with any of the suggested items to the bin by the Welcome Desk or to the Main Office. This year’s program benefits those individuals assisted by St. Vincent De Paul, Hesed House & Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry, and Waterleaf Women’s Center. Monetary donations can be made under the Angel Giving Fund via our online giving portal or via check made payable to Our Lady of Mercy with “Angel Giving” in the memo for tax purposes. Accepted thru 12/31. Please contact Lydia Schmitt, in the main office, with additional questions at lydias@olmercy or 331-707-5377.

Bring PADS Food Items to Masses on 11/30 and 12/1.  PADS will be on Tuesday 12/4 to help our brothers and sisters in need. Check out the PADS board in the Atrium (the entrance to our building) for the food items needed.  We are also thankful for any funds donated via the Give page or checks payable to Our Lady of Mercy and note on the memo “Hesed House-PADS”. Thank you so much for your generosity.
‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’— Matthew 25:40

Christmas Flower Memorials. This Christmas we will decorate the church with poinsettias around the altar. Flowers can also be memorialized by using one of the flower envelopes found in the narthex.  The recommended donation is $20.00.  Thank you for your generosity and for helping to make our church beautiful during the holiday season.

Donate to the Retirement Fund for the Religious. On the 2nd Sunday of Advent 12/7 and 12/8, our diocese will soon take up the national collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious. Your support for this collection provides financial assistance for retirement needs for 297 U.S. religious communities. Catholic sisters, brothers and religious order priests—collectively known as women and men religious—have selflessly served for decades without significant financial compensation. However, due to escalating healthcare costs, numerous U.S. religious communities face a substantial gap between their elderly members’ needs and the financial resources available for their care. Many religious orders currently experience insufficient retirement savings.  The senior religious in our diocese never retire from their vows, and they play a crucial role in conveying the faith from one generation to the next. In their younger years, they laid the foundation for Catholic schools, hospitals, and works of mercy. Today, many serve in volunteer ministry as ongoing witnesses to the Gospel. Others are frail and need assistance, yet all remain wholly committed to their vocations by embracing the opportunity to spend more time praying for our Church and world. Please support the retirement needs of our senior religious.

Christmas Collection & End of Year Giving 12/25 and 12/31. As we prepare for the Solemnity of Christmas, the Scripture readings inspire all faith-filled stewards to stop and ponder in great awe God’s ultimate gift: the gift of His only begotten Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Out of heartfelt gratitude, what of our prayer, service, and generosity can we present to Him?
It is a great blessing that all of the funds donated as part of the Christmas Collection stay with Our Lady of Mercy and will help us meet ourvSunday Collection.  If you wish to donate to the Christmas Collection, please use one of the following three methods:
1. Give online at olmercy/give look for the online giving portal and be sure to select “Christmas” (use the drop-down arrow)
2. Give during Mass using your Christmas envelope.
3. Give during Mass using a blank envelope labeled “Christmas Collection,” also include “Christmas Collection” on the memo line of your check
PLEASE NOTE: only donations received (or postmarked) on or before December 31 will appear on your 2024 giving statement that will be sent out by the end of January 2025.

Support the OLM Legacy Fund this Christmas Season. This Advent, as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ, we invite you to reflect on the lasting impact of your faith and generosity. By supporting the Our Lady of Mercy Legacy Fund, you help ensure that our parish remains a vibrant home of hope, faith, and service for generations to come.

The Legacy Fund enables us to:

• Sustain and enhance our parish facilities.
• Grow the ministries that bring the Good News of Christ to life in our community.
• Build a strong foundation for the future, sharing the light of Christ even in uncertain times.

Your gift, no matter the size, is a powerful way to proclaim, “I believe in the mission of Our Lady of Mercy, and I want to help it thrive.”

How to Give:

• Online: Click on this link.
• By Check: Write “Legacy Fund” in the memo and drop it off or mail it to the parish office.
• In Person: Stop by the parish office during office hours to make your contribution.

This season of hope reminds us that we are called to be faithful stewards of all we have received. Together, let us continue to grow as disciples, offer life-changing encounters with Jesus, and build a community that transforms the world. Thank you for your generosity and faithfulness.

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Spiritual Disciplines to Embrace this Advent Season and Always