The fourth Sunday of Advent is December 21, 2025. The fourth candle of Advent represents Love, the ultimate love of God that He might send His only Son for us. Called the “Angel’s Candle,” the fourth candle of Advent is lit the Sunday before Christmas, and it is the color purple, leading us to eagerly await the new Kingdom of God on earth.
“And in the end, everything else will turn out to be unimportant and inessential, except for this: Father, Child, and Love.” – St. (Pope) John Paul II
The Advent theme of love represents God’s ultimate act of love by sending his son to Earth. Christmas is about God’s love for us and God’s motivations in sending Christ to be among us. The final week of Advent asks us to focus on God’s love for us, consider what it means for us to love God, and guides our responsibility as Christians to offer love to others.
During this fourth week of Advent, we can focus on showing love to family members, neighbors, co-workers and others within our parish.
As we enter the final week of Advent, you may be wondering what happens next?
The Christmas season begins with the Christmas Eve Vigil Masses, celebrating the Nativity of the Lord, and ends on Sunday, January 11, the Baptism of the Lord. Christmas Mass is a Holy Day of Obligation (You can attend Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to fulfill this Holy Day of Obligation). Our parish has three Masses on Wednesday, Dec. 24 at 4:00 PM (Family Vigil Mass), 6:00 PM (Vigil Mass in English), and 8:00 PM (Vigil Mass in Spanish) or Thursday, Dec. 25 at 9:30 AM (Mass in English) or 11:30 AM (Mass in Spanish).
Epiphany is celebrated annually on the Sunday between January 2 and January 8. In 2026 it is celebrated on Sunday, January 4. Epiphany celebrates the revelation that Jesus was the Son of God. It focuses primarily on this revelation to the Three Wise Men, but it also focuses on his baptism in the Jordan and at the wedding at Cana.
The 12 Days of Christmas – The 12 days themselves are simply the time between the two major Christmas feasts: the Nativity of the Lord on December 25 and Epiphany on January 4. The 12 days include the feasts associated with the Octave and four additional celebratory days. (You can learn more about these specific feast days here.)
Octave of Christmas – The Octave of Christmas includes the eight days between Christmas Day and January 1, which is both the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, and New Year’s Day.
Live Nativity: The Live Nativity between Masses was postponed to Sunday, December 21 from 10:30-11:30 AM & 1:30-2:30 PM. Take a family photo with the Live Nativity during one of those times.
Nativity Village Display: If you haven’t had a chance to take a look up close at this detailed display in the Sanctuary, plan on arriving early for Mass and take some time to enjoy this.
Nativity of the Lord: Attend Mass at our Parish: Wednesday, December 24 – 4:00 PM (Family Vigil Mass), 6:00 PM (Vigil Mass in English), 8:00 PM (Vigilia Misa in Espanol) or Thursday, December 25 – 9:30 Am (Mass in English), 11:30 AM (Misa in Espanol)
Read a Book to your Young Kids: These children’s stories can lead to reflective conversations: “The Night of Las Posadas” by Tomie de Paola, “Martin the Cobbler” by Leo Tolstoy, and “The Night Before Jesus” by Herbert Brokering. You might be able to find these at your local library or order them on Amazon.
Advent Video for Teens: This short video, geared for Teens explains Advent in a simple way. Click Here for the Busted Halo video.
Little Blue Book: Continue to light your Advent wreath nightly and read the daily sections in The Little Blue Book as you prepare for Christmas Day.
(Some information for this website came from the Hallow .com website. For more ideas and to subscribe go to Hallow.com.)
Fourth Sunday of Advent: Sunday, December 21, 2025 (Regular Mass Times) Live Nativity for Families (10:30 – 11:30 AM & 12:30 – 1:30 PM between Masses).
Nativity of the Lord: Wednesday, December 24, 2025: Family Vigil Mass (4:00 PM), Vigil Mass in English (6:00 PM), Vigilia Misa en Español (8:00 PM)
Thursday, December 25, 2025: Mass in English (9:30 AM), Misa en Español (11:30 AM)
(Holy Day of Obligation)
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph: Sunday, December 29, 2025 (Regular Mass Times)
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, The Mother of God: Wednesday, December 31, 2025: Mass (6:00 PM), Misa en Español (8:00 PM)
Thursday, January 1, 2026: Mass (9:30 AM), Misa en Español (11:30 AM)
(Holy Day of Obligation)