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Mumbai Christians Embrace Advent Spirit
14 Dec
Summary
- Advent season, marking Christmas countdown, began November 30.
- Churches hold prayer rituals, choir performances, and charity events.
- Four Advent candles symbolize hope, peace, joy, and love.
The Advent season, a significant period of spiritual preparation leading up to Christmas, is currently underway for Christians worldwide. This observance, which began on November 30 and will culminate on Christmas Eve, December 24, is characterized by deep reflection and communal engagement.
Churches across Mumbai are embodying the spirit of Advent through various activities. Mount Mary Basilica in Bandra, for instance, has been illuminated with festive lights and hosted choir performances, while Salvation Church in Dadar is encouraging a rediscovery of faith. These observances underscore the dual nature of Advent: remembering Christ's first coming and anticipating his eventual return.
The ritual of lighting candles on an Advent wreath is central to the preparation. Each of the four candles—three purple and one pink—represents hope, peace, joy, and love, signifying the faithful expectation of Jesus' birth and his role in humanity's salvation. This period calls for prayerful waiting and penance, mirroring the anticipation experienced by Mary and Joseph.
