8th December ----Second Sunday of Advent
Many Western Christian churches observe Advent as an expecting time and preparation for the upcoming Christmas. The second Sunday of Advent has it's own traditions.
Celebration of Advent is connected with the fasting before Christmas, that is why people should spend a lot of time thinking about the eternity of soul and the sacrifice Christ made for all of us. However the Sundays of Advent are really jolly and people prepare to celebrate Christmas.
The second Sunday of Advent is mainly marked by special masses in churches, that begin in the morning. On this day the pastors' readings concern the birth of Christ in manger and other prophecies.
The second candle of the Advent wreath is also lit on this day. This is a purple candle, which is sometimes called the candle of Bethlehem. This candle represents the hope of Christ coming to the world. Two purple candles, the first is lit on the first Sunday, have to burn at the same time, together they symbolize God's peace and remind us about the prophets, who said that the Messiah would be born.
Celebration of Advent is connected with the fasting before Christmas, that is why people should spend a lot of time thinking about the eternity of soul and the sacrifice Christ made for all of us. However the Sundays of Advent are really jolly and people prepare to celebrate Christmas.
The second Sunday of Advent is mainly marked by special masses in churches, that begin in the morning. On this day the pastors' readings concern the birth of Christ in manger and other prophecies.
The second candle of the Advent wreath is also lit on this day. This is a purple candle, which is sometimes called the candle of Bethlehem. This candle represents the hope of Christ coming to the world. Two purple candles, the first is lit on the first Sunday, have to burn at the same time, together they symbolize God's peace and remind us about the prophets, who said that the Messiah would be born.
