ADVENT

Advent is here, and here are some changes that people often notice in Church. Probably the most obvious of these is that the color of the vestments changes to violet or blue. On the Third Sunday of Advent, which is also called Gaudete Sunday, as the Advent season is already half over, the joy of the Nativity begins to break in and on that day rose colored vestments may be used.  Also, the hymn Glory to God in the highest.is omitted at Mass, and one will find that there is a certain moderation in the decoration of the altar. While flowers may still be used, the decoration of the altar should not express the full joy of the Nativity of the Lord.