By Chris Higgins, Parish & Deanery Development Adviser

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As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, the season of Advent begins—not with fanfare, but with quiet expectation. It is a time of waiting, watching, and preparing. But above all, Advent is a season of Hope.

 

As we have contemplated in this Jubilee Year, Hope is not mere optimism or wishful thinking. It is a deep, spiritual confidence that God is at work—even when we cannot see it. In Advent, we remember the long centuries when God’s people waited for the promised Messiah. Through prophets and promises, they held onto hope that light would break into the darkness.

 

Today, we wait again. We wait for Christ to come more fully into our lives, into our communities, and into our world. We wait for healing, for peace, for justice. And we do so with hope — not because we ignore the pain of the world, but because we believe that God has not abandoned it.

 

The first candle of the Advent wreath is often called the Hope candle. It reminds us that even in the darkest times, God’s light is coming. Jesus, the Light of the World, was born into a troubled world to bring redemption and restoration. And He will come again.

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So in this season, let us prepare our hearts to receive Christ anew. Let us be people filled with hope for transformation, forgiveness and deeper communion with God. Let us be people who carry hope into the lives of others — through kindness, prayer, and presence.

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Maybe this year is an opportune time to create an Advent wreath for the home. We are encouraged to set aside time each day for Scripture and reflection. The voices of the prophets — Isaiah, Micah — remind us of God’s promise, while the Gospels prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus. Journaling these reflections can deepen our spiritual journey.

 

Families may enjoy using an Advent calendar filled with daily acts of kindness, Scripture verses, or prayers. This simple practice helps children and adults alike engage with the season meaningfully.

 

A quiet space for prayer can be a sanctuary in the busyness of the season. In the final week, the ancient O Antiphons offer a rich tradition of prayer, echoing the longing of generations: O Come, O Emmanuel.

 

We are also invited to embody Advent through acts of kindness: reaching out to someone in need, supporting a local charity, or offering encouragement.

 

These small gestures become living signs of the hope we await in Christ. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. Isaiah 9:2

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You can contact Chris by email at Catholic Pictorial who carry hope into the lives of others — c.higgins@rcaol.org.uk