Blessed Be God!

Anna ****
8th
December 11, 2012
Religion

Advent and the Immaculate Conception

During the season of Advent we as Catholics have to attend all Holy Days of Obligation. Each day is very special and has a different meaning than that of the last. In this season there are three Holy Days of obligation during the season of Advent. During this time a reed represents the four weeks of Advent with four candles. One is white to represent the coming of Jesus Christ and the rest are pink and purple which represent Bethlehem and joy. Advent is the preparation for the celebration of Jesus at the Nativity. This year 2012 Advent began on December 1, 2012 and ends on December 24, 2012. The word Advent itself is derived from the Latin word meaning coming. In the season of Advent of course the most obvious day of obligation is Christmas Eve. Vigil Masses for Christmas may be celebrated any time after 4:00 p.m. Then there is a mass on the following day Christmas Day which is The Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord. The most recognizable of the Holy Days of the Liturgical year is The Immaculate Conception feast day. This year it was celebrated December 8, 2012 commemorating that the Virgin Mary was born without Original Sin. Various paintings, statues and other forms of artwork have been made depicting the Immaculate Conception. Usually they show Mary as a young woman dressed in white and blue. She is often standing on a hill and has a halo of stars around her head. The pieces of art may also include images of clouds, golden