St. Margaret of Scotland Parish

The Advent and Christmas Seasons 2003

Advent Season

Advent is a time of anticipation and preparation for the whole Christmas season.  It is a time in which we remember and celebrate Jesus' Coming to our world some 2000 years ago.  It is also a time in which we anticipate Christ's Coming at the end of time.  During Advent, we strive to make ourselves ready to meet our Lord in His Second Coming.

November 30 is the First Sunday of Advent.  Pray throughout this season that God will make the flame of faith, hope, and love even brighter in our diocesan community.

Traditions, activities, and events help enrich the celebration of the season.  This page will publish information on traditions, inspirations, and resources available in this area. 

Visit this page and the Events Page often during the season for updated information.

Advent Wreath

The Advent Wreath is widely recognized as a symbol of Advent.  Visit our Advent Wreath page.

Christmas Candle

The Christmas Candle is an ancient tradition.  It is usually placed in the center of the Advent Wreath to complete the removal of darkness.

Nativity Scene

According to tradition, St. Francis of Assisi began the practice of using mangers at Christmas time.  Crèche is the French word for manger.

This beautiful Nativity scene in St. Margaret of Scotland Parish Church helps us draw closer to the God who has taken on our human flesh. Visit our Nativity Page.

Replica of the Vatican Crèche

The world's only exact replica of the Vatican Crèche will be on display at USX Towers Plaza in downtown Pittsburgh.  This crèche is a beautiful reminder of the spiritual reason for the season.  A family trip to see the Vatican Crèche is a great way to keep Christ in Christmas.  Visit www.diopitt.org/creche.htm to learn more about the crèche.

Story Telling

A common family custom is to gather the family around the Christmas tree and tell the Christmas Story.

Feast of Saint Nicholas, December 6

Even when Nicholas was still young, he was known for his eagerness to help the poor and oppressed.  Later he became a bishop.  He is known as a special friend of sailors and children.  

Luminaria

The Youth Group is selling luminaria sets and baked goods to benefit their Appalachian Work Camp project.  

Window Lights

Traditionally lights are placed inside the window as a beacon to light the way for Mary, Joseph, and the coming of the Christ child.

Christmas Trees

Christmas trees are used around the world.  For Christians, the evergreen branches make us think of Jesus' new life that lasts forever.  We put a star on top of the Christmas tree to remind us of the star that shone over Bethlehem.

The use of a tree at Christmas as a Christian symbol is often attributed to an historical event.  When evangelizing to the Germanic tribes, St. Boniface chopped down their sacred oak to prove the impotence of their god and used the evergreen as a symbol of the eternity of the true God.

By tradition, some people take down the Christmas tree on the last day of Christmas, January 6.  In some areas the tree is burned in a bonfire.

Christmas Season

The Christmas season begins on Christmas Day with the celebration of the birth of Jesus and continues through the celebration of the Epiphany. During the Christmas season, we celebrate God's greatest gift to us, Jesus Christ.

The Christmas season is 12 days of great joy.  Read about the origins of the song 12 Days of Christmas.

During the Christmas season, we celebrate a number of Holy Days and feast days:

Christmas Day on December 25, 2003
Feast of the Holy Family on December 28, 2003
Feast of Mary, Mother of God on January 1, 2004
Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord on January 4, 2004
Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord on January 11, 2004

Return to top of page