Joshua Bennett
Advent is a season of hope and anticipation for Christians, who prepare for and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, during this time. It is a period of waiting and spiritual preparation, marked by rituals such as Advent calendars, wreaths, and prayers. The word Advent comes from the Latin ad + venire, meaning to come, signifying the arrival of Christ into the world and into people's hearts. The season is observed by Catholics and other Christian denominations, with the lighting of candles and other traditions, creating a bridge between the past, present, and future as they await Christ's Second Coming.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To nurture peace and experience joy in anticipation of the birth of Jesus |
| Timing | Begins on the Sunday closest to November 30 and ends before Christmas |
| Duration | Between three weeks and one day and four weeks |
| Liturgical color | Violet or purple |
| Traditions | Advent calendars, wreaths, candles, prayers, novenas, and feasts |
| Symbolism | Arrival, expectancy, hope, joy, and peace |
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What You'll Learn
Advent is a time of anticipation for the birth of Jesus
The season of Advent is a time of preparation and introspection, a bridge between the past, present, and future. It is a time to look back on the hope for the Saviour of the World and to experience anew the joy of his arrival. The liturgical colour for Advent is purple, like the colour of Lent, symbolizing penance, prayer, and preparatory sacrifices. During Advent, Catholics may devote time to reading biblical passages related to the Nativity story and the prophecies surrounding the Messiah.
Advent traditions include the Advent calendar, which helps to engage with the themes of Advent through daily activities, reflections, or treats. Another tradition is the Advent wreath, which typically includes three purple candles and one pink candle, lit on each of the four Sundays of Advent. Each week, a special Advent prayer is said, and traditions such as St. Barbara's feast day in Germany and Austria, as well as Las Posadas in Mexico and some other Latin American countries, are also observed.
Through these traditions and rituals, Advent is a time for Catholics to journey towards Jesus and prepare themselves to present their gifts to him. It is a season to renew the experience of waiting and longing for the Messiah, as the people of Israel did for generations. This anticipation for the birth of Jesus is at the heart of the Advent season, guiding Catholics towards Christmas with a sense of devout and joyful expectation.
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It is a season of hope and joy
The season of Advent is a time of hope and joy for Catholics. It is a period of preparation, a bridge between the past, present, and future, where Catholics look back on the hope for the Saviour of the World and experience the joy of his arrival. It is a time to nurture peace and joy in anticipation of the birth of Jesus, the love that is made incarnate.
Advent is derived from the Latin word "ad + venire," meaning "to come" or "to come toward." Thus, it signifies the arrival of Christ in our hearts, in the world, and in God's plan for our salvation. This season invites Catholics to establish or re-establish routines, rituals, and traditions, such as Advent calendars and wreaths, to enrich their spiritual journey.
The wreaths, with their four candles, symbolise the four weeks of Advent and the expectation and hope of the Lord's coming. The lighting of the candles each week represents the growing anticipation for the Christ Child. The colour purple is associated with Advent, symbolising prayer, penance, and preparation for the joyous celebration of Christmas.
Advent is also a time for introspection and spiritual preparation. Catholics may devote time to reading biblical passages related to the Nativity story and the prophecies surrounding the Messiah. It is a season to journey towards Jesus and prepare gifts for Him, cultivating joy and wonder in anticipation of His birth.
The season of Advent is a wonderful reminder of the ancient expectancy of the Messiah, as expressed in the poetry, songs, and stories of the people of Israel. It renews the experience of waiting and longing for the Messiah, directing our hearts and minds towards Christ's second coming and the celebration of His birth.
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Advent calendars and wreaths are used to count down the days
Advent calendars and wreaths are used by Catholics to count down the days until Christmas and to prepare for the celebration of Christ's arrival. The Advent season is a time of anticipation and preparation for the birth of Jesus, marked by rituals and traditions.
Advent calendars are a fun and popular tradition, especially for children, as they count down the 24 days of December until Christmas Eve. Each day, a window or flap is opened to reveal a treat, such as chocolate, or a religious item such as a Bible verse, quote, or symbol. These calendars help children and adults alike to engage with the themes of Advent and prepare spiritually for the birth of Jesus. The act of opening the calendar each day serves as a reminder to spend a moment in prayer and devotion, guiding our hearts and minds towards Jesus.
Advent wreaths are another important tradition used by Catholics during the Advent season. Traditionally, Advent wreaths are made of evergreen branches with four candles inserted, representing the four weeks of Advent. Three of the candles are typically purple, symbolizing prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices, while the fourth candle is rose or pink, lit on the third week of Advent to signify the midpoint of the season and the approaching Christmas celebration. The lighting of the candles each week symbolizes the growing anticipation and hope surrounding the birth of Jesus, as well as the expectation of his second coming.
Both Advent calendars and wreaths are devotions that help Catholics count down the days of the Advent season, fostering good prayer habits and a deeper spiritual connection as they prepare for the joyous celebration of Christmas.
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The liturgical colour for Advent is purple
Advent is a season of hope, a time to nurture peace and experience joy in anticipation of the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a time to prepare for Christmas when Christ's first coming is remembered, and to await his Second Coming at the end of time. The liturgical colours used by churches vary, even from church to church. However, there are some broad similarities. The liturgical colour for Advent is violet or purple, like the sky just before sunrise. This is a colour of humility and also a reminder of the violet flower that bows its head. Purple is also used during the season of Lent, a penitential season.
The liturgical calendar begins with Advent, four Sundays before Christmas Day. The colour purple or violet is used during this season, with rose pink sometimes used for the third week, beginning with Gaudete Sunday. The Advent wreath, which is a common tradition for many Catholic families, features three purple candles and one pink candle. Each week, a new candle is lit and a special Advent prayer is said.
The colour purple is also used in the vestments worn by sacred ministers and in the drapery used in the decoration of the altar. These colours are drawn from creation to remind those participating in a liturgy of the blessings of God. While the use of colour in the church has evolved over time, with the introduction of new colours from the 12th century onwards, purple or violet has been regularly used since the 13th century.
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It is a time of preparation and penance
The Advent season is a time of preparation and penance. It is a time to nurture peace and experience joy in anticipation of the birth of Jesus, the Saviour of the World. The word "Advent" comes from the Latin "ad + venire", meaning "to come towards", and it is a season of arrival—the arrival of Christ in our hearts, in the world, and into God's extraordinary plan for our salvation.
Advent is a time to prepare for the coming of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, and to renew the experience of waiting and longing for the Messiah. It is a season of hope, symbolised by the Prophet's Candle on the first Sunday of Advent, which points to the long-expected Saviour. The season invites us to a commitment to vigilance, looking beyond ourselves, and expanding our minds and hearts to open ourselves up to the needs of others and the desire for a new world.
The liturgical colour for Advent is purple, like the colour of Lent, which is a penitential season. The purple colour symbolises prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices and good works undertaken during this time. Prayer, penance, and fasting are appropriate during Advent, and it is a time to quiet and discipline our hearts for the full joy of Christmas. The faithful are encouraged to fast during the first two weeks in particular and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Advent is also a time to establish or re-establish routines, rituals, and traditions. Many Catholic families set up an Advent wreath, which typically has three purple candles and one pink candle. Each week, a new candle is lit, and a special Advent prayer is said. Other traditions include Advent calendars, which can include daily activities or reflections to help engage with the themes of Advent, and the celebration of Las Posadas in Mexico and some other Latin American countries, which involves a nine-day parade procession to symbolise Mary and Joseph's search for an inn in Bethlehem.
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Frequently asked questions
Advent is a season of hope and anticipation for the birth of Jesus Christ, the Lord and Saviour. It is a time to prepare for Christmas and to renew the experience of waiting for the Messiah.
Many Catholic families set up an Advent wreath with three purple candles and one pink candle. A new candle is lit each week, and a special Advent prayer is said. Some also use Advent calendars with daily activities or reflections to engage with the themes of Advent.
The liturgical colour for Advent is purple, similar to the season of Lent. Purple symbolises prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices as one disciplines their heart for the full joy of Christmas.
