Rachel Evans
Advent is a season in the Catholic Church's liturgical calendar that marks the beginning of the new liturgical year. It is a four-week season that begins on the Sunday closest to November 30 and ends on Christmas Eve, December 24. The season of Advent is a time of preparation and introspection, directing Catholics' hearts and minds to Christ's second coming and the celebration of his birth. It is marked by various traditions, such as Advent wreaths, calendars, and devotional practices, all of which help to create a sense of anticipation and spiritual preparation for the coming of Christ.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Sundays | 4 |
| First Sunday | The Sunday closest to November 30 |
| Last Sunday | December 24 |
| Duration | 3-4 weeks |
| Liturgical color | Violet/Purple |
| Candles | 4 |
| Candle colors | 3 purple, 1 rose |
| First candle | Symbolizes forgiveness granted to Adam and Eve |
| Second candle | Symbolizes the faith of Abraham and the patriarchs |
| Third candle | Symbolizes the joy of David |
| Fourth candle | Symbolizes the teaching of the prophets |
| Alternative candle symbolism | Four stages of human history: creation, incarnation, redemption of sins, and last judgment |
| Third Sunday | Gaudete Sunday |
| Fourth Sunday | As early as December 18, or as late as December 24 |
| Novena | A unique prayer for the last 9 days of Advent |
| O Antiphons | Sung during the final 8 days of Advent |
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What You'll Learn
Advent starts on the Sunday closest to November 30th
Advent is a four-week season that begins on the Sunday closest to November 30 and ends on Christmas Eve, December 24. It marks the commencement of the Catholic Church's new liturgical year. The season of Advent has profound significance within the Catholic faith, serving a twofold purpose.
Firstly, it is a time of preparation for the birth of Christ. During Advent, Catholics prepare their hearts and minds to celebrate the arrival of Jesus by reflecting on the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament and their fulfilment in Jesus as the saviour. This anticipation is symbolised by the lighting of candles on the Advent wreath, with one new candle lit each week, representing the growing anticipation for the Christ Child.
Secondly, Advent is a call to conversion and introspection. It is a season of self-reflection and renewal, where Catholics are invited to enter into prayer, silence, and Scripture, preparing themselves spiritually for the birth of Jesus Christ. The liturgical colour purple, traditionally associated with solemnity and somberness, reminds Catholics of their imperfections and the need for repentance, turning their hearts towards Jesus.
The season of Advent is also marked by various devotions and practices, such as Advent calendars, daily meditations, and the singing of special hymns and prayers, such as the "O Antiphons" during the final days of Advent. It is a time to focus on the coming of Christ, both in his Incarnation at Bethlehem and his Second Coming at the end of time.
In summary, Advent starting on the Sunday closest to November 30th holds significant meaning for Catholics, as it is a time of preparation, introspection, and joyful anticipation, leading up to the celebration of Christmas.
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Advent wreaths and candles
The Catholic Church has been using Advent wreaths since the Middle Ages. The circular shape of the wreath symbolises God's infinite love and the evergreen boughs remind us of new and eternal life in Christ. The wreaths are constructed of a circle of evergreen branches into which four candles are inserted, representing the four weeks of Advent.
Three of the candles are purple, and one is pink or rose-coloured. The purple candles symbolise prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices and good works undertaken at this time. The pink or rose-coloured candle is lit on the third Sunday of Advent, which is called Gaudete Sunday. On certain Advent wreaths, a central white candle known as the Christ candle is sometimes lit on Christmas Day, symbolising the life of Christ.
Each candle represents a special virtue that God prompts us to cultivate during the Advent season. The first candle, which is purple, represents hope. The second candle symbolises the faith of Abraham and the patriarchs who believed in the gift of the Promised Land. The third candle, which is pink or rose-coloured, embodies joy. The fourth candle, purple like the first two, represents love and symbolises the boundless love of God, which we are called to share with others.
During Advent, Catholics traditionally light the wreath at the start of their prayers, using it as a focal point for meditation on the season's meaning.
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Advent calendars
In the Catholic Church, Advent is a season of preparation and expectancy, focusing on the coming of Christ. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, which falls on or closest to November 30, and ends on Christmas Eve on December 24. During this time, Catholics may use Advent wreaths with candles and Advent calendars to prepare for the celebration of Christmas.
The treats within Advent calendars are not limited to chocolates and toys. There are Advent calendars for adults too, with treats like jams, sauces, wines, beauty products, and even Lego sets. These calendars are a fun way for people of all ages to join in the holiday festivities and count down to Christmas.
With the variety of options available, it's no surprise that Advent calendars are a beloved tradition for many, helping to build excitement and anticipation for the Christmas season.
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The liturgical colour for Advent is purple
Advent is a season in the Church's liturgical year that signifies preparation and a time of introspection, prayer, and reflection for Christians. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, which falls on or closest to November 30, and ends on Christmas Eve on December 24.
In the Roman Rite, purple has been the standard colour for penitential occasions since the promulgation of the 1570 Missal, also known as the tridentine rite. Advent is generally considered a penitential season, and thus, purple or violet is the appointed colour for both Advent and Lent in this rite. The priest wears violet or purple during Advent, with the exception of the Third Sunday of Advent, or Gaudete Sunday, when rose or pink may be worn.
The Advent wreath, a traditional symbol of the season, typically features three purple candles and one pink candle. The purple candles represent the threefold coming of Christ: firstly, in the Incarnation at Bethlehem; secondly, in a perpetual sacramental presence in the Eucharist; and thirdly, at his Second Coming and final judgement. The pink candle symbolises joy and is lit on Gaudete Sunday, marking a joyful pause in the midst of Advent's more penitential season as Christmas draws nearer.
While purple is the main liturgical colour for Advent, there has been a growing trend in some Protestant churches to use blue instead. Proponents of this change argue that blue represents the hopeful nature of the season, as it anticipates the coming of Jesus Christ. However, the use of blue during Advent is not universally accepted, and some argue that it is an invention with little historical evidence to support it.
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Advent ends on Christmas Eve
Advent is a season observed in most Christian denominations, including Catholicism, 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. The season is marked by anticipation and devotion, with Advent calendars, wreaths, devotionals, and other practices.
The specific date of the start of Advent varies each year, but it always begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, which can fall anywhere between November 27 and December 3. This year, Advent began on December 3.
Advent ends on December 24, Christmas Eve, though some Advent calendars extend through Christmas Day. The final days of Advent, from December 17 to December 24, are focused on preparing for the Nativity of the Lord at Christmas. During this period, the ""O" Antiphons are sung, proclaiming the coming of Christ as the fulfillment of Old Testament hopes and present-day expectations.
In the Catholic Church, the Advent wreath has been a significant symbol since the Middle Ages. The wreath is made of evergreen branches, signifying continuous life, and the circle represents the eternity of God and the immortality of the soul. The candles on the wreath symbolize the great stages of salvation before the coming of the Messiah or the four stages of human history: creation, the Incarnation, the redemption of sins, and the Last Judgment. The lighting of the candles during Advent reminds us that Christ is the light of the world.
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Frequently asked questions
Advent begins on the Sunday closest to November 30th and ends on Christmas Eve, December 24th.
The liturgical colour for Advent is purple.
The Advent wreath is made with a circle of evergreen branches and four candles, representing the four weeks of Advent.
Some Advent devotions include the Advent wreath, Advent calendars, lighting a Christingle, and setting up Christmas decorations.
The fourth Sunday of Advent emphasizes the incomparable peace that the Divine Savior brings, as heralded by the Angel's Candle.
