In his message, Chalan Kanoa Bishop Thomas A. Camacho reminded the community to meditate and prepare themselves for the annual celebration of Christ’s birth.
“In obedience to his Father and for his love for us,” the bishop said, “Jesus voluntarily set aside the comfort of heaven and came down to our planet earth in the form of a poor baby in the stable in Bethlehem. In a similar way for us this year, the comfortable living we’ve gotten accustomed to has diminished and we find ourselves this year with less to enjoy life with. Let us then not waste this opportunity to prepare ourselves properly for the coming of the Lord on Christmas Day as poor as he was. If we take on this spirit, I promise you will nevertheless enjoy this Christmas as you have enjoyed it in the previous years.”
Fr. Ryan P. Jimenez, chancellor of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, said during Advent, the faithful are reminded about Christian values and virtues.
A candle will be lighted every week during the Sunday Eucharistic celebration to represent the four weeks of Advent.
Three candles are purple and one is pink.
The purple candles symbolize prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices while the pink candle, which represents joy, is lit on the third Sunday.
“This Sunday we light the first candle of Advent. And every week there is a specific theme depending on the readings. Advent is more of a joyful preparation. Preparation, I would say, on two levels for Christmas and to prepare ourselves spiritually. But I think the more important preparation is for the end times,” Jimenez said.
