Five Forgotten Feasts of Advent: Hidden Gems in the December Calendar
- Fiach OBroin-Molloy
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
Advent Has More Treasures Than We Think
When December arrives, Christian blogs, homilies, and social media feeds understandably fill with Christmas themes—Nativity scenes, gift guides, Jesse trees, O Antiphons, and Advent wreath reflections.
But tucked quietly into this season are ancient feast days, mystical traditions, and saints whose stories beautifully echo Advent’s themes of waiting, hope, and light.
These feasts are often overshadowed by the approach of Christmas, yet they offer profound spiritual depth—perfect for anyone who wants a slower, richer, more contemplative Advent.
Here are five forgotten feasts of Advent that deserve renewed attention.
1. The Feast of Our Lady of Loreto — 10 December - The Holy House of Nazareth… in Italy?
The Feast of Our Lady of Loreto is one of the most fascinating and overlooked Marian celebrations of the entire year. According to ancient tradition, the Holy House of Nazareth, where Mary received the Annunciation, was miraculously transported by angels to Loreto, Italy.
Whether understood historically or symbolically, the feast invites us to reflect on:
the hidden domestic holiness of the Holy Family
the dignity of the home
Mary’s unwavering “yes” to God’s plan
Advent’s constant call to prepare a dwelling place for Christ
2. The Feast of St. Juan Diego — 9 December - The quiet visionary behind Guadalupe
The world knows Our Lady of Guadalupe on 12 December, but few remember that St. Juan Diego has his own feast just three days earlier.
His Advent message is powerful:
humility in the midst of extraordinary encounters
God choosing the small, the simple, the overlooked
Mary’s maternal closeness to the poor and vulnerable
In an age of noise, Juan Diego’s quiet faith makes him a compelling Advent companion.
3. St. Lucy / Santa Lucia — 13 December - A light in the darkest days
Celebrated across Scandinavia and Italy, St. Lucy (whose name means “light”) is a radiant anchor in the dark days of mid-December.
Her feast—once tied to the winter solstice—symbolises:
Christ the Light entering a dark world
hope in times of suffering
the gentle illumination of faith
Her story and customs (candle crowns, saffron breads, processionals) give families and parishes rich Advent reflection material.
4. St. John of the Cross — 14 December - The mystic of Advent longing
Few writers capture the “holy longing” of Advent like St. John of the Cross, Doctor of the Church and master of contemplative prayer.
His feast falls at the very heart of Advent and speaks deeply to:
interior stillness
waiting in darkness
trusting God in obscurity
the transformative power of silence
In a noisy, frantic December, St. John of the Cross is the antidote.
5. The Expectation of the Blessed Virgin Mary — 18 December (historical feast) - A beautiful, almost forgotten Advent treasure
Once widely celebrated in Spain and Latin countries, this feast honours Mary’s final days before giving birth to Christ.
It is perhaps the most “Advent” feast imaginable, yet almost nobody knows it exists.
Its themes are stunning:
the nearness of Christ
holy anticipation
the sanctity of waiting
the tenderness of late pregnancy
Many Catholics today rediscover it as a contemplative practice: pausing on 18 December to join Mary in her final expectant days.
Why These Forgotten Feasts Matter for Advent Today
These often-overlooked celebrations reveal something essential about the season:
Advent is not passive waiting — it’s active preparation.
Light always emerges through darkness, often quietly.
Small, hidden moments can hold immense spiritual power.
Mary’s journey is central, not peripheral, to Advent prayer.
By rediscovering these feasts, Catholics can deepen their Advent experience with:
richer prayer
fresh spiritual insight
historical tradition
meaningful family practices
devotional connections (rosaries, medals, pouches, etc.)
Conclusion: Slow Down, Look Closer, Go Deeper
The December calendar is filled with quiet treasures, often overshadowed by the rush toward Christmas. Rediscovering these forgotten feasts helps us enter Advent more fully—steadier, slower, and with hearts attuned to the mystery we are waiting for.