ADVENT BEGINS WITH SPECIAL SERVICE.

Byline: Holly Andres Staff Writer

WESTLAKE VILLAGE - Advent, the spiritual buildup to Christmas, begins on Sunday, and churches are planning special services in observance of the holy season.

St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church in Westlake Village is planning an evening of tranquillity and insight at its annual Advent Lessons and Carols program, which starts at 5 p.m.

``It's a time to get your heart ready,'' said choir member and program organizer Beth Kin. ``It's an evening of prayer. People really need this kind of an evening rather than shopping, shopping, shopping.''

The word Advent is derived from a Latin word meaning ``to come.'' For Christians, the four Sundays of Advent are a time of spiritual preparation for embracing what the birth of Jesus promises.

``Advent is a time to ask ourselves, What does our faith say about the season? What are we celebrating? The fear is that we are being pulled into a celebration with no basis, a celebration of a nonevent,'' said Msgr. Peter O'Reilly, the pastor at St. Maximilian Kolbe. ``In order not to be caught unaware, we need to prepare ourselves before the feast day, so the full meaning becomes clear.''

Symbolizing one of the themes of Advent - light coming into the world with the birth of Jesus - purple candles placed on pillars will flank the main aisle of the church. Purple is the traditional color in the Roman Catholic Church for the Advent and Lenten seasons.

``One of the main symbols of Advent is the Advent wreath. During the darkest nights of the year, we light candles that symbolize the coming of Jesus,'' said Dan Curry, another choir member and a soloist during the program.

``Christmas is so commercialized. There's all the hustle and bustle and waiting for Christmas to happen. This program is all about the chance to stop and reflect on what it's really about.''

Advent wreaths have four candles, usually three purple and one rose- colored. The candles are lighted in sequence on the four Sundays leading up to Christmas.

The rose color is considered the ``joy'' candle. The wreath's circle is said to symbolize the endless nature of God's love.

``The purple candles are a visual signal that something special is coming,'' O'Reilly said. ``The rose-colored one is lit on the third Sunday. By the third week, there's always the danger of people thinking, Is it worth the wait? The rose color means don't lose heart; the joy will be that much greater when the day comes.''

Kin, who has two young children, said Advent wreaths are very common in Catholic homes.

``There are prayers to say as you light the candles. It's a nice tradition at home,'' she said.

Familiar Christmas carols, including ``O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,'' will be sung by the 20-member choir, accompanied by an ensemble. Scripture and poetry readings and instrumental pieces will be part of the program.

``We're here as a center of prayer. People of all faiths have been coming. I think people are hungry for spiritual support,'' Kin said. ``This program is inviting people to come and anticipate wonderful things.''

St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church is at 5801 Kanan Road. For more information, call [phone].

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Photo:

Monsignor Peter O'Reilly and Beth Kin from St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church stand next to a living Advent wreath.

Tina Burch/Staff Photographer