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Questions / Prayer and the Church year

What is Advent?

Church teaching

Answered on video by Ascension Presents

Video: The True Meaning of Advent, Ascension Presents, published Dec 4, 2019. Checked 10 October 2026. Loads from YouTube (privacy-enhanced mode) only when you press play. Watch on YouTube

In short: Four weeks of waiting, like Israel waited for the Messiah, and of longing for His second coming. CCC 524

The answer, in writing

Church teaching

In Advent the Church makes present Israel’s ancient longing for the Messiah, and by sharing in it the faithful renew their desire for His second coming. CCC 524

Our words

Four weeks to slow down before Christmas. Waiting is part of the gift.

Next step: Try Evening Prayer

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Related questions

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Sources on this page

How we know · 1 Catechism paragraph
  1. Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 524 (official text on vatican.va).

Stone & Incense restates Church teaching in plain words and cites every teaching claim. Our own wording is not an official Church text. Found a mistake? Report an errorCorrections.