Advent is a season observed in many Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the

celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas as well as the return of Jesus at the second coming. The term is a
version of the Latin word meaning "coming". The term "Advent" is also used in Eastern Orthodoxy for the 40-
day Nativity Fast, which has practices different from those in the West.[3]
Latin adventus is the translation of the Greek word parousia, commonly used to refer to the Second Coming of
Christ. For Christians, the season of Advent anticipates the coming of Christ from three different perspectives.
"Since the time of Bernard of Clairvaux(d.1153) Christians have spoken of the three comings of Christ: in the
flesh in Bethlehem, in our hearts daily, and in glory at the end of time."[4] The season offers the opportunity to
share in the ancient longing for the coming of the Messiah, and to be alert for his Second Coming.
Advent is the beginning of the Western liturgical year and commences on the fourth Sunday before Christmas
(sometimes known as Advent Sunday), the Sunday nearest to St. Andrew's Day (30 November), in the Roman
Rite of the Catholic Church, the Western Riteof the Orthodox Church, and in
the Anglican, Lutheran, Moravian, Presbyterian, and Methodist calendars.[5] In the Ambrosian Rite and
the Mozarabic Rite of the Catholic Church, Advent begins on the sixth Sunday before Christmas, the Sunday
after St. Martin's Day(11 November).[6]
Practices associated with Advent include keeping an Advent calendar, lighting an Advent wreath, praying an
Advent daily devotional,[1]erecting a Chrismon tree,[1] lighting a Christingle,[2] as well as other ways of preparing
for Christmas, such as setting up Christmas decorations,[7][8][9] a custom that is sometimes done liturgically through
a hanging of the greens ceremony.[1][10] The equivalent of Advent in Eastern Christianity is called the Nativity
Fast, but it differs in length and observances, and does not begin the liturgical church year as it does in the West.
The Eastern Nativity Fast does not use the equivalent parousia in its preparatory services.[11]

Advent comes from the Latin word meaning "coming." Jesus is coming, and Advent is intended to be a season of
preparation for His arrival. While we typically regard Advent as a joyous season, it is also intended to be a
period of preparation, much like Lent. Prayer, penance and fasting are appropriate during this season.

Advent is not as strict as Lent, and there are no rules for fasting, but it is meant to be a period of self-
preparation. The purple color associated with Advent is also the color of penance. The faithful should fast during
the first two weeks in particular and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The color of the Third Sunday of Advent is rose. This color symbolizes joy and represents the happiness we will
experience when Jesus comes again. The Third Sunday is a day of anticipatory celebration. It is formerly called
"Gaudete" Sunday; gaudete means "rejoice" in Latin.

Finally, Sundays during Advent, just as during Lent, should not be given to fasting, but instead to celebration
because we celebrate the resurrection of Our Lord every Sunday. It is important to remember, however, there
are no particular rules for how the laity should observe Advent.

Advent, (Latin: adventus, “coming”) in the Christian church calendar, the period of preparation for the celebration
of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas and also of preparation for the Second Coming of Christ. In Western
churches, Advent begins on the Sunday nearest to November 30 (St. Andrew’s Day) and is the beginning of the
liturgical year. In many Eastern churches, the Nativity Fast is a similar period of penance and preparation that
occurs during the 40 days before Christmas. The date when the season was first observed is uncertain.
Bishop Perpetuus of Tours (461–490) established a fastbefore Christmas that began on November 11 (St.
Martin’s Day), and the Council of Tours (567) mentioned an Advent season.
The liturgical meaning of the Advent season referred to the dual “coming” of Jesus—
the Incarnationin Bethlehem and the Second Coming as judge at the end of time. Together with Lent, it was
observed as a penitential season, though not with the same rigour as Lent. Consequently, Advent developed
increasingly into the joyful anticipation of Jesus’ birth. In many countries it is marked by a variety of popular
observances, such as the lighting of Advent candles, one on each of the four Sundays before Christmas. In Roman
Catholicism the traditional liturgical colour for Advent is violet; many other Western denominations have adopted
blue. The third Sunday of Advent, known as Gaudete Sunday, is commonly marked by the use of rose-coloured
vestments and candles.
Advent is the season when Christians make spiritual preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ at Christmas.
Celebrating with an Advent wreath is a meaningful custom in many Christian traditions.

History of the Advent Wreath

The Advent wreath is a circular garland of evergreen branches representing eternity. On that wreath, four or
five candles are typically arranged. During the season of Advent, one candle on the wreath is lit each Sunday as
a part of the Advent services. Each candle represents an aspect of the spiritual preparation for the coming of the
Lord, Jesus Christ.

The lighting of an Advent wreath is a custom that began in 16th-century Germany

Symbolism of the Advent Wreath Candles

Set on the branches of the Advent wreath are four candles: three purple candles and one pink candle. A more
modern tradition is to place a white candle in the center of the wreath. As a whole, these candles represent the
coming of the light of Christ into the world.

Each week of Advent on Sunday, a particular Advent candle is lit. Catholic tradition states that the four candles,
representing the four weeks of Advent, each stand for one thousand years, to total the 4,000 years from the
time of Adam and Eve until the birth of the Savior.

Prophecy Candle

On the first Sunday of Advent, the first purple candle is lit. This candle is typically called the "Prophecy Candle"
in remembrance of the prophets, primarily Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ:

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him
Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14, NIV)

This first candle represents hope or expectation in anticipation of the coming Messiah.

Bethlehem Candle

On the second Sunday of Advent, the second purple candle is lit. This candle typically represents love. Some
traditions call this the "Bethlehem Candle," symbolizing Christ's manger:

"This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." (Luke 2:12, NIV)

Shepherds Candle

On the third Sunday of Advent the pink, or rose-colored candle is lit. This pink candle is customarily called the
"Shepherds Candle," and it represents joy:

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of
the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel
said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the
town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. (Luke 2:8–11, NIV)

Angels Candle

The fourth and last purple candle, often called the "Angels Candle," represents peace and is lit on the fourth
Sunday of Advent.

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to
God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." (Luke 2:13–14, NIV)

Christ Candle
 On Christmas Eve, the white center candle is lit. This candle is called the "Christ Candle" and represents the life of
Christ that has come into the world. The color white represents purity. Christ is the sinless, spotless, pure Savior.
Those who receive Christ as Savior are washed of their sins and made whiter than snow:

"Come now, let us settle the matter," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as
snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." (Isaiah 1:18, NIV)

Advent for Children and Families

Celebrating with an Advent wreath during the weeks before Christmas is an excellent way for Christian
families to keep Christ at the center of Christmas, and for parents to teach their children the true meaning of
Christmas. This tutorial will teach you how to make your own Advent wreath.

Another Advent tradition that can be very meaningful and fun for children is to celebrate with a Jesse Tree. This
resource will help you learn more about the Jesse Tree Advent custom.

time of expectation and hope. “Advent” means “arrival” or “coming,” and it prompts us to pause each day in
December and remember why Jesus came at Christmas. Traditions vary by country, but common ways of
commemorating Jesus’ birth are through Advent calendars, wreaths, and candles. Ideally, any Advent tradition
should involve families in a fun activity each day of December, helping them remember why we celebrate
Christmas.
The History of Advent
The first mention of Advent occurred in the 300’s A.D at a meeting of church leaders called the Council of
Sargossa. It gradually developed into a season that stretched across the month of December. One of the first
mentions of an Advent calendar appeared in 1851 in a children’s book by Elise Averdieck. In the story, a little
girl named Elisabeth listens to part of the Christmas story each day in December. She sings Christmas carols and
puts a picture on her wallpaper. Once she has twenty-four pictures on the wall, she knows Christmas has finally
arrived.

The most common Advent candle tradition, however, involves four candles. A new candle is lit on each of the four
Sundays before Christmas. Each candle represents something different, although traditions vary. Often, the first,
second, and fourth candles are purple; the third candle is rose-colored. Sometimes all the candles are red; in
other traditions, all four candles are blue or white. Occasionally, a fifth white candle is placed in the middle and
is lit on Christmas Day to celebrate Jesus’ birth.
 The first candle symbolizes hope and is called the “Prophet’s Candle.” The prophets of the Old Testament,
especially Isaiah, waited in hope for the Messiah’s arrival.
 The second candle represents faith and is called “Bethlehem’s Candle.” Micah had foretold that the Messiah
would be born in Bethlehem, which is also the birthplace of King David.
 The third candle symbolizes joy and is called the “Shepherd’s Candle.” To the shepherd’s great joy, the angels
announced that Jesus came for humble, unimportant people like them, too. In liturgy, the color rose signifies joy.
 The fourth candle represents peace and is called the “Angel’s Candle.” The angels announced that Jesus came
to bring peace--He came to bring people close to God and to each other again.
 The (optional) fifth candle represents light and purity and is called “Christ’s candle.” It is placed in the middle
and is lit on Christmas Day.