Advent

The beginning of the Christian Liturgical Year in Western churches, Advent marks the four Sundays before Christmas. The word “advent” comes from the Latin “adventus,” which means “coming.” This season just before Christmas is associated with the “coming” of Jesus as Messiah and marks a time of penitence, preparation, and anticipation.

Advent always contains four Sundays, beginning on the Sunday nearest to November 30 (the feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle). Consequently, Advent may begin as early as November 27, but always ends on December 24. If Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday, the last Sunday of Advent falls on that day, as Christmas Eve begins at sundown.

We do not know when the celebration of Advent was first introduced into the Church, but the first clear reference of its celebration comes in the sixth century. Prior to this time, we find references in the church fathers about homilies, celebrations, and fasts resembling our current Advent season.

Increasingly, in addition to the element of suffering recognized in Advent observances, the season is marked by a spirit of expectation and anticipation. The faithful express a yearning for deliverance by God from the evils of the world following the pattern of Israelite slaves in Egypt. Part of the expectation anticipates a judgment on sin and a calling of the world to accountability before God.

The Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches have set liturgies for Advent emphasizing these themes. Although less scripted, most other denominations have Advent practices that incorporate similar motifs. The traditional color of Advent is purple, the color of penitence. Purple also symbolizes royalty and is associated with the Advent of the King. As well, the purple of Advent is also the color of suffering used during Lent and Holy Week, connecting Jesus’s birth and death.

A wreath of evergreens serving as a stand for five candles is used in most Advent celebrations. Evergreens remind us of eternal life, embodied in Jesus, the Light of the world coming into the darkness. The circle signifies God’s eternity and endless mercy. Candles mark the light of God coming into the world. The circle usually contains three purple candles and a fourth pink candle, which is lit on the third Sunday of Advent to signify the joy of anticipation for Christ’s imminent birth.
While themes vary from church to church and year to year, the first candle is traditionally the candle of Expectation or Hope. The remaining three candles may be organized around characters or themes as a way to unfold the story and direct attention to the celebrations and worship in the season. So, for example, the sequence for the remaining three Sundays might be Bethlehem, Shepherds, and Angels; or Love, Joy, and Peace; or John the Baptist, Mary, and the Magi. The center white candle is the Christ Candle, signifying his incarnation as the heart of the season. It is traditionally lit on Christmas Eve.

Spreading through North America (from Germany) in the late 20th century was the custom of the Advent calendar. Given to children, the card contains 25 flaps, one of which is opened daily from December 1 to Christmas Day. In the more elaborate versions, the opening of the flap reveals a small gift or piece of candy.

References 
Adam, Adolf. The Liturgical Year: Its History and Meaning after the Reform of the Liturgy. Collegeville, MN: Pueblo Books, 1978. Hickman, Hoyt L., et al. The New Handbook of the Christian Year. Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 1992. Mershman, Francis. “Advent.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 1. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907. Stookey, Laurence Hull. Calendar: Christ’s Time for the Church. Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 1996. White, James F. Introduction to Christian Worship. Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 2001.

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