Michael Brooks
Advent is a season observed by Christians, including Catholics, as a time of waiting and preparation for both the celebration of Jesus' birth and the return of Christ at the Second Coming. The word Advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning coming, and the season is marked by four Sundays of celebration before Christmas. The season is also marked by the use of Advent wreaths and calendars, with each week holding a specific meaning and relevance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Season | Advent |
| Length | 3 weeks and 1 day to 4 weeks |
| Start date | Sunday closest to 30 November or St Andrew's Day (28 November) |
| End date | Christmas Eve |
| Liturgical colour | Violet, purple, or rose |
| Symbolism | Arrival of Christ, Second Coming of Christ, introspection, renewal, penance |
| Traditions | Advent wreath, Advent calendar, prayer, fasting, gift-giving, Christmas tree |
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What You'll Learn
Advent is a season of arrival and expectancy
Advent is a season on the Church's liturgical calendar. It is a period of devout and expectant delight, a time of spiritual preparation when Christians are invited to enter more frequently into silence, prayer, and reflection. It is a time to focus on the needs of others, and to renew one's commitment to vigilance.
Advent is also a time of penance, when Christians prepare, quiet, and discipline their hearts for the full joy of Christmas. The liturgical colour for Advent is purple, a reminder of our imperfections and the need for repentance. In this way, Advent is a bridge between the past, present, and future.
Advent begins with Evening Prayer I of the Sunday falling on or closest to 30 November and ends before evening prayer I of Christmas. The Sundays are named the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Sundays of Advent. The weekdays from 17 December up to and including 24 December are ordered in a more direct way to prepare for the Nativity of the Lord.
Advent wreaths are a traditional part of the celebration of Advent. They consist of four candles, surrounded by evergreen branches. Three of the candles are purple or blue, and one is pink. The purple or blue candles represent penance, while the pink candle refers to the third Sunday of Advent, known as Gaudete Sunday, which is meant to encourage participants to continue praying as Advent soon reaches its conclusion.
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It is a time of preparation and introspection
Advent is a season observed in most Christian denominations, including the Catholic Church, as a time of waiting and preparation for both the celebration of Jesus's birth at Christmas and the return of Christ at the Second Coming. It is a time of preparation and introspection, with an emphasis on prayer and spiritual reflection.
The word "Advent" comes from the Latin "adventus", meaning "coming" or "arrival". The season of Advent in the Christian calendar anticipates the "coming of Christ" from three different perspectives: the physical nativity in Bethlehem, the reception of Christ in the heart of the believer, and the eschatological Second Coming.
In the Catholic Church, the Advent season is a time to focus on the importance of Christ in our lives and to prepare for the celebration of Christ's birth at Christmas. It is also a time to reflect on the Second Coming and the future return of Christ. Catholics consider all three comings when they celebrate Advent. The season is marked by an increase in prayer and, for some, fasting.
Advent is a slightly different length each year, typically lasting between three weeks and one day to four weeks. It starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, often referred to as Advent Sunday, and ends before Christmas Eve. The Sundays of this time of year are named the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Sundays of Advent.
During Advent, Catholics may light an Advent wreath, which consists of four candles arranged in a circular pattern, surrounded by evergreen branches. Each candle corresponds to the four Sundays of Advent, with three purple or blue candles symbolizing penitence and prayer, and one pink candle, lit on the third Sunday or Gaudete Sunday, encouraging participants to continue praying as Advent comes to a close.
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Advent is a bridge between the past, present, and future
Advent is a season on the Latin Church's liturgical calendar. It is a time of preparation for the Solemnities of Christmas, in which the first coming of the Son of God into the world is remembered. It is also a time when, by remembrance of this, minds and hearts are led to look forward to Christ's second coming at the end of time. In this way, Advent is a bridge between the past, present, and future.
The word "Advent" comes from the Latin word "adventus", meaning "coming". It refers to the coming birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas and the return of Christ during the second coming. The liturgical colour for Advent is purple, which reminds us of our imperfections and the need for repentance. The season begins on the Sunday closest to St Andrew's Day (November 30) and ends before evening prayer on Christmas Day.
Advent is a slightly different length each year. It starts four Sundays before Christmas. But because Christmas is on a fixed date, Advent can be as short as three weeks and a day or as long as four weeks. The season is marked by various devotions, including the Advent wreath, which consists of four candles surrounded by evergreen branches. Each week, a new candle is lit, symbolizing the growing anticipation for the Christ Child.
Advent is a time of introspection and preparation, enabling Christians to enter the joyous celebration of Christmas with renewed hearts and minds. It is a period of devout and expectant delight, in which Christians prepare their hearts and minds to celebrate the arrival of Jesus. They reflect on the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament and their fulfilment in Jesus. Through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, Christians quiet and discipline their hearts for the joy of Christmas.
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The season is marked by devotions and traditions
The Advent season is marked by devotions and traditions that are steeped in Catholic history and symbolism. The word "Advent" is derived from the Latin word "adventus", meaning "coming", and this sets the tone for the devotions and traditions observed during this period.
One of the most recognisable Advent traditions is the Advent wreath. The wreath is constructed from evergreen branches and four candles, three purple and one rose. Each Sunday during Advent, a new candle is lit, with the rose candle being lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday. The purple candles symbolise prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices, while the rose candle encourages continued prayer as Advent nears its conclusion. The lighting of the candles each week symbolises the growing anticipation for the coming of Christ.
Another tradition is the use of Advent calendars, which include daily activities or reflections to help individuals engage with the themes of Advent. These calendars can be a fun way for families to count down to Christmas, incorporating treats like chocolate, while also providing spiritual preparation through suggested prayers and Bible readings.
The liturgical colour for Advent is purple, symbolising penance and preparation. This is reflected in the vestments worn by priests during Mass. The altar may also be more modestly decorated, and the "O" Antiphons, with their ancient biblical imagery, are traditionally sung during the final days of Advent.
Advent is also a time for introspection and renewal, where Catholics focus on prayer and fasting to prepare their hearts and minds for the arrival of Jesus. They reflect on the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament and their fulfilment in Jesus, joining in the anticipation of his Second Coming.
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Advent is a time to renew the experience of waiting for the Messiah
Advent is a season in the Church's liturgical calendar, specifically the calendar of the Latin Church, which is the largest Church in communion with the pope. Other Catholic Churches and many non-Catholic churches also celebrate Advent. The word "Advent" comes from the Latin "adventus", meaning "coming", and it refers to the coming birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas and his second coming at the end of time.
The liturgical colour for Advent is purple, reminding us of our imperfections and the need for repentance. Penance, such as through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, helps us to prepare our hearts for the joy of Christmas. Each week during Advent has a specific meaning and relevance. In the first week, Catholics light the first candle, which signifies hope as it is commonly known as the "Prophet's candle" and signals that Jesus is coming. The second Sunday's candle celebrates faith and God's everlasting love, and is known as the "Bethlehem" candle. The third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday, where rose may be worn instead of purple. The fourth Sunday of Advent is followed by the final days of Advent, from December 17 to December 24, where the focus is on preparing for the celebrations of the Nativity.
Advent is also a time to remember the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament and their fulfilment in Jesus. Scripture readings during Advent call us to be alert and ready, not weighed down and distracted by the cares of this world. It is a time to slow down and ponder what is important in life, and to focus on the needs of others.
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Frequently asked questions
Advent is a season observed by Christians to celebrate the arrival of Christ in the world, in their hearts, and into God's plan for salvation. It is also a time to remember and await Christ's second coming.
Violet or purple is the liturgical colour for Advent. It is also the colour for Lent, which is a penitential season. The colour is meant to signify prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices undertaken during Advent.
Some traditions associated with Advent include Advent calendars, lighting an Advent wreath, praying an Advent daily devotional, erecting a Chrismon tree, and lighting a Christingle.
