The Last Eight Days of Advent
During the last eight days of Advent, it is useful to reflect on the different titles given to the Lord who is to come. The titles are Old Testament titles, here conferred on Jesus, showing he is the promised Messiah.
Wisdom
St. Paul tells us that God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom.
He is saying that it is hard to imagine the Wisdom of God, who knows all things,
because God has created all things. This title of God reminds us especially
of the Book of Wisdom in the Old Testament - a beautiful hymn in which wisdom
is personified, and is active in the world.
Adonai
A name for the Most High God, whose true name could not be uttered,
and of whom it was said that no-one could gaze on the face of God and live.
Adonai is the Lord of armies, who will march out to save the people in battle.
Stock of Jesse
Jesse was the father of King David, and Jesus is a descendent of David.
>From David comes the association of Jesus as royal, of David's line. Jesus
inherits the throne of David, re-defining his role as King of the Jews.
Key of David
Jesus is not simply a ruler descended from David, but a liberator,
a redeemer. This name echoes the mission of Jesus to bind and to loose, a mission
Jesus passes on to his disciples.
Rising Sun
The sun is a sign of God's creation, God's endurance, and a sign of
God's glory. God's glory outshines the sun, and will endure after the sun and
moon have failed. Psalm 84 describes God as the sun:
"For the LORD God is a sun and shield; he bestows favor and honor. No good thing does the LORD withhold from those who walk uprightly." (Psalm 84:11 NRSV)
King
God is the king above all kings, and the prophet Samuel is reluctant
to anoint a king for the Israelites as this will seem like a rejection of God's
rule. Pilate asks Jesus if he is a king; Jesus answers indirectly, because his
kingship does not accord with the expectations of the Romans, the Jewish authorities,
or even his followers.
Emmanuel
The prophecy of Isaiah foretells a sign to be given by God: a virgin will conceive
and give birth to a son whom she will call Emmanuel: a name which means God
is with us. Jesus is the word made flesh, God in the midst of the people.
© Liguori Publications Excerpt from Advent - A Quality Storecupboard The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer
More Advent & Christmas
Advent & Christmas 2024
Begins Sunday, December 1, 2024
Ends on Sunday, December 24, 2024
"And the angel answered her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.'"
Christ the King
Sunday, November 24, 2024
Christ the King Day is a Catholic celebration that takes place on the last Sunday of the liturgical year in the Catholic faith. continue reading
Advent 2024 starts on Sunday, December 1, 2024
Advent starts four Sundays before Christmas every year.Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary
[holy day of obligation]
Monday, December 9, 2024
![Image of Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary[holy day of obligation]](https://www.catholic.org/files/images/media//14812140994558_150.jpg "Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary[holy day of obligation]")
Blessed Virgin Mary in the first instance of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, ... continue reading
Advent 2024 ends on Sunday December 24, 2024
Advent ends on Christmas Eve, the day before Christmas, every year.Christmas
Birth of Our Lord Jesus
[holy day of obligation]
Monday, December 25, 2024
![Image of ChristmasBirth of Our Lord Jesus[holy day of obligation]](https://www.catholic.org/files/images/media//15226932365_150.jpg "ChristmasBirth of Our Lord Jesus[holy day of obligation]")
Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. continue reading
The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
[holy day of obligation]
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
![Image of The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God[holy day of obligation]](https://www.catholic.org/files/images/media/2022/16665677875_150.jpg "The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God[holy day of obligation]")
The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God is a feast day of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the aspect of her motherhood of Jesus Christ. continue reading
Epiphany
Monday, January 6, 2025
The Epiphany signifies the visitation of the Biblical Magi to the Baby Jesus. continue reading
Advent Reflections
Reflection for every day of Advent
Advent is a period of waiting, like Lent. We are called to obtain the Sacrament of Reconciliation, to pray and fast, as we await the arrival of our ... continue reading
Advent Calendar
Every day of Advent
An Advent calendar has become a tradition for many families when celebrating Advent and the Christmas season. continue reading
Advent Candle
24 Days of December
An Advent candle is a neat way to mark off the days until Christmas. Such candles are commonly found in churches and sometimes in homes. continue reading
Advent Wreath
Each Sunday of Advent
The wreath's symbolism of the advent (coming) of Light into the world is clear. The gradual lighting of the four candles, one on each Sunday of the ... continue reading
Advent & Christmas Classes
14 Free Classes - Mobile Friendly
You’re joining our global classroom. Thousands of students from all over the world, each with their own unique story, learn at their own pace on ... continue reading
Advent & Christmas PDFs
FREE - Printable - Catholic
Free Advent & Christmas PDFs for anyone, anywhere; Use in your Parish Church - School - Bulletin Inserts. continue reading
Christmas Gifts
Free Shipping $70+
Make This Christmas Special with Gifts from Catholic Online Shopping. continue reading
Nativity Scene
Holy Family
The Nativity Scene is a meaningful expression for our religious faith. With it, we provide a captivating visual focus during the Christmas season. continue reading
St. Nicholas
December 6th
The true story of Santa Claus begins with Saint Nicholas. continue reading
Advent? What is it all about
The word Advent derives from the Latin word meaning coming. The Lord is coming. We may reflect that every year at this time we celebrate his coming... continue readingThe Christmas Story
To become the mother of the Savior, Mary "was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role." The angel Gabriel at the moment of... continue readingAdvent Daily Readings
The weeks of Advent remind us to set aside some of the hectic business of the holiday season, and to quietly reflect on the promise of the baby... continue reading
More Advent & Christmas
If you want Christmas to be special, celebrate Advent! Watch
Of all the seasons of the liturgical year, Advent seems to be the most overlooked. Overshadowed by Christmas, Advent is forgotten and ... continue reading
Advent Reflection - Day 2 - The First Monday of Advent Watch
Your Daily Advent Reflection - Day 2 - First Monday of AdventYou're going through trouble, but is it the right trouble? Advent is a period ... continue reading
How to bless your Advent Wreath at home Watch
The Advent Season is upon us, and many of us have put up our Advent Wreaths. Did you know you can bless your Advent Wreath right at home? ... continue reading
Advent Reflection - Day 3 - The First Tuesday of Advent Watch
Your Daily Advent Reflection - Day 3 - First Tuesday of AdventA guest is coming! Are you ready? For many people, Advent hardly exists. The ... continue reading
Advent Reflection - Day 1 - The First Sunday of Advent Watch
Your Daily Advent Reflection - Day 1 - The First Sunday of AdventDo you know what Advent is really for? We begin the season of Advent ... continue reading
Why Celebrate Advent?
This coming Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent. Many bring out the advent candles out of storage and set them in a wreath. Over these few ... continue reading
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.
-
-
Mysteries of the Rosary
-
St. Faustina Kowalska
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
-
Saint of the Day for Wednesday, Oct 4th, 2023
-
Popular Saints
-
St. Francis of Assisi
-
Bible
-
Female / Women Saints
-
7 Morning Prayers you need to get your day started with God
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Daily Catholic
- Daily Readings for Wednesday, December 04, 2024
- St. John of Damascus: Saint of the Day for Wednesday, December 04, 2024
- Thanks for Family and Friends: Prayer of the Day for Wednesday, December 04, 2024
- Daily Readings for Tuesday, December 03, 2024
- St. Francis Xavier: Saint of the Day for Tuesday, December 03, 2024
- Prayer to Saint Therese De Lisieux for Guidance: Prayer of the Day for Tuesday, December 03, 2024
Daily Readings for Wednesday, December 04, 2024
St. John of Damascus: Saint of the Day for Wednesday, December 04, 2024
Thanks for Family and Friends: Prayer of the Day for Wednesday, December 04, 2024
Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.