
From the Latin for arrival, the fourth Sunday from Christmas Day marks the start of the
liturgical year and is accorded certain themes and readings: the first
Advent mass has celebrants anticipating the “End Times,” the “Messianic Age” and the second coming, whereas the next two focus on the preachings of
John the Baptist that made ready the way for Jesus with the last being the traditional time for nativity pageants—plus it marks the start of lighting wreaths or
Christingles, setting up trees and the ceremonial, welcoming hanging of the greens, putting out the garlands.