Advent a Special Time for Pilgrims of Hope to Share the Light of Christ

Receiving messages of hope … planting seeds of hope. This evangelistic cycle during Advent helps "pilgrims of hope" shine the light of Christ in a darkened world as the Jubilee Year of Hope draws to a close.

When the Advent season begins, the Church has just celebrated the Feast of Christ the King. The feast signals the culmination of a full liturgical year of living in the life of Christ through our faith, hope, and love, according to Dow, director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis for the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

"Christ is ultimately our King, and that is our destiny, to become a citizen of his kingdom and live with him in eternity. That a great promise – that all of his promises are fulfilled," Dow said.

The focus then shifts to Advent.

"You'll notice that all the stores are decorated for Christmas," said Dow, "you have Christmas music on the radio, and that started early in November. There's a lot of distractions."

What does is mean for Catholics to journey through the Advent season and continue to live out the Jubilee Year of Hope? The jubilee year ends Jan. 6, 2026, the Feast of the Epiphany.

There are invitations and witnesses of hope throughout Advent about God's promises to send forth the perfect king through the line of David. There's rejoicing and hope in that, Dow emphasized.

"There are invitations to be awake, be prepared, stay alert because the kingdom of God is at hand, and the one that is promised is to come," said Dow. "Jesus reminds us that you've already had plenty of signs and I'm standing in the midst of you."

As we prepare for the first coming of Christ as a babe in Bethlehem and his second coming as conquering king, there are signs that the Lord gives us. There are also paths of hope along the way. 

"Especially when we reflect on the daily and Sunday Mass readings, which tell the story of the coming of our savior," Dow said. "That's one way people can really take a holy pause during the season of Advent."

Dow highlighted paragraph 1817 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: "Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ's promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit."

"Every person is called to take up the virtue of hope in all circumstances," said Dow.

She pointed out that studying the Beatitudes is a good pathway to hope.

"The Beatitudes seemingly look at things that are contradictory to a happy life," she said. "But in reality, they are an invitation to hope because they are those realistic things that happen in our lives ... blessed are those who mourn, blessed are those who sorrow, blessed are those who are persecuted. But there's still a sense of hope that we can live out because the Lord never goes back on his promises."

"Every person is called to take up the virtue of hope in all circumstances." - Dina Dow, director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis for the Diocese of Baton Rouge

A good preparation for Christmas also includes participating in the sacraments.

"It's a beautiful time to receive the sacrament of reconciliation. It's also a time of renewal, of going to Mass. (Even) adding a daily Mass. The Eucharist is the source and summit of our lives," Dow said.

Engaging in works of mercy is also prevalent during Advent.

"We see that a lot of gift giving, food giving, donations, and taking care of people that are in a crisis is another way to offer hope," Dow said.

Spiritually accompanying people who are struggling with or doubting in their faith is another fruitful way to prepare for Christmas, Dow added.

"Maybe they haven't gone to church. Maybe they feel uncomfortable because it's been so long," she said. "But the invitation to invite people to come home for Christmas is beautiful. And a lot of people are open to that."

Advent resources for individuals and families that Dow recommended are on the diocese's website at diobr.org/advent. There are also apps such as Hallow, Ascension Press, Word on Fire, etc. To receive daily emails featuring creches from around the world, people can visit mcgrath.nd.edu/events/creche-exhibit.

Advent calendars also provide Scripture passages, and movies can provide inspiration and opportunities for reflection.

To honor the Blessed Mother in her role in salvation, there are Marian feasts days during Advent: The Feast of the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8 and the feast Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12.

As the days of Advent wind down and Christmas draws near, families can assemble their Christmas nativity scenes. To gain the best perspective about the true meaning of Advent and Christmas, it's best to wait until Christmas morning to place the Christ Child in the manger, according to Dow.

Focusing on "a hope that does not disappoint" through the presence of and coming of Christ draws people closer to the Lord. They in turn can evangelize others, emphasized Dow.

"Advent is season of rejoicing. It's a season of hope, definitely a season of deepening our faith and relationship with our Lord, a season of charity, of love and of giving. If we can intentionally steep ourselves in the Word of God in the sacraments and participate in charitable giving, we can definitely be a beacon of hope and offer that peace of Christ to all that we meet," said Dow.