The shortest week of the year

Christmas Day is only two days away and yet we are on the verge of the 4th Week of Advent!
Confusing to many, even church regulars.

The 4th week begins today at 6.00 p.m. and finishes tomorrow at 6.00 p.m. then tomorrow becomes Christmas.

Many will think, talk, and behave as though tomorrow is Christmas Eve (which it is as well I suppose).

Advent is short enough without us curtailing it still further. Spiritually many of us have further preparation needs before we can celebrate the feast. In particular we need time to repent before we start really rejoicing. The fourth purple candle on the Advent Wreath will be a solemn reminder as to where we are at on our journey to Christmas. Ditto the priest's purple vestments, matching the altar frontal, and the continuing absence of flowers in church. Mary, her obedience and humility, will be another focus and reminder of appropriate graces to be desired to welcome the Christ Child when he comes.