Christmas is one of the most important days of the Liturgical year. It is the mystery of the incarnation celebrating God becoming flesh. We celebrate God sending his only son to save us from our sins. Therefore, every Eucharist is like Christmas where bread and wine are transformed into Christ’s body and blood. The season of Christmas begins after advent during the vigil Mass of Christmas Eve and ends on the feast of the baptism of the Lord. We celebrate the birth of Christ to the world during this season. We also reflect on the purpose for which Christ was born and on the purpose He was born for. He was born to die on the cross for all of our sins and made salvation possible for all who repent. Before the season of Christmas begins, the season of Advent takes the place.
The season of Advent in 2022 begins on Sunday, November 27, and ends on Saturday, December 24, 2022. The season of Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of Christ and it lasts for four Sundays until Christmas Eve. During this time, the priest wears purple vestments for the mass like during lent. It is a time of preparing our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ. Advent teaches us to be alert and prepared for Christ’s second coming and not to be distracted by too many worldly things.
During Advent, people can perform more good deeds to welcome the coming of Christ. In addition, using an Advent wreath has been a long Catholic tradition. There are four Advent candles that symbolize hope, faith, joy, and the fourth marks the final week of prayer and penance to prepare for the coming of Christ!
It is such a coincidence that the DIS foundation day is near Christmas. This year, DIS is celebrating 65 years! There were some joyful celebrations in the foundation week from December 5th to 9th. For more information about the school foundation day, check out our most recent campus news article on the homepage of the D’Torch Newsletter.
On December 5th, the school lighted its second advent candle with poem performances and the lighting and blessing of the school Christmas Tree. The school orchestra also performed on the occasion.
On December 6th, the sports day was held. On December 8th, it is the feast of the Immaculate Conception (A holy day of Obligation). The mass of the Immaculate Conception was presided over by Rev. Mons. Stefano Mazzotti, Pope Francis’ representative. The feast of the Immaculate Conception celebrates that Our Lady of conceived without original sin. Mary conceived without sin points to Christ, while the faithful are all preparing to receive Him in their hearts.
On December 9th, each class sang their Christmas Carols, and the middle school and high school had their class Christmas Party. The most important thing of the day was the DIS Orchestra Concert.
Images/Videos of School Christmas Events Below:
This year, Pope Francis’ message for Advent is to ask us to be awake and vigilant always because the Lord can come at any moment.
“We must be awake, alert, vigilant. Jesus warns us: there is the danger of not realizing His coming and being unprepared for His visit. I have recalled on other occasions what Saint Augustine said: ‘I fear the Lord who passes by’… that is, I fear that He will pass by and I will not recognize Him!” -His Holiness, Pope Francis
The Vatican also has beautiful decorations to welcome the coming of Christ on Christmas.
Thank you to all the school staff and VIP parents who made all these school events possible.
Hope that everyone will have a Christ-filled Christmas and a Mary-laden new year!
SOURCES/CREDITS:
Christian, Gina. “Immaculate Conception Points to Christ and Christmas, Says Local Priest.” Catholic Philly.com, 8 Dec. 2021,
catholicphilly.com/2021/12/news/local-news/immaculate-conception-points-to-christ-and-christmas-says-local-priest. Accessed 17
Dec. 2022.
“Christmas.” United States Conference of Catholic Bishop, 2BC, www.usccb.org/prayer-worship/liturgical-year/christmas. Accessed 4 Dec.
2022.
“Pope: May Advent Awaken Us to God’s Presence in Our Daily Lives.” Vatican News, 27 Nov. 2022,
www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-11/pope-may-advent-awaken-us-to-god-s-presence-in-our-daily-lives.html. Accessed 17
Dec. 2022.
“What Is Advent.” United States Conference of Catholic Bishop, www.usccb.org/prayer-worship/liturgical-year/advent. Accessed 4 Dec.
12AD.
School Images: From Dominican International School MIT team
Note: All images featuring the school are taken by the School MIT team. No images can be copied or used for other purposes without the permission of the school MIT team.
