John calls us to prepare for the coming of the Lord. The season of Advent begins on November 27, 2016 and ends on December 24, 2016. Christmas falls on a Monday. The theme for the first Sunday is Hope. The theme for the second Sunday is Love. A message of Joy pervades the readings for the third Sunday. The fourth and final Sunday is devoted to Peace. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception always falls on December 8. There are four sets of readings for Christmas. They are read at sundown and just before midnight on December 24, at dawn and mid-day on December 25.