As the holiday season begins, you may start to notice colorful candles, Advent calendars in shopping areas, and special decorative wreaths appearing in homes and churches. These all relate back to Advent, a winter celebration by many Christians worldwide, especially within liturgical traditions like Catholicism, Anglican, Lutheran, Orthodox, and Methodist churches. But what is Advent, and why is it important?
Advent is a time of spiritual preparation and joyful anticipation for Christmas, focusing on Jesus Christ’s birth and future return. Many evangelical and non-denominational Christians also observe Advent with wreaths, special services, and devotionals, while some traditions, like the Orthodox, have a longer, more rigorous fast.
Advent is a period of four weeks leading up to Christmas. During this time, people prepare their hearts and minds for the celebration of the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day.
The Advent wreath is made of evergreen branches, symbolizing everlasting life. The wreath holds four candles, one for each week of Advent. Traditionally, the three purple candles represent hope, peace, and love, while the fourth candle is pink and symbolizes joy. Sometimes a white candle is placed in the middle of the wreath on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, to mark the fulfillment of prophecy and the arrival of Christ.
Another popular tradition is the Advent calendar. These calendars count down the days from December 1st to December 24th. Most have tiny doors that open to reveal pictures, small gifts, or chocolate. Advent calendars make waiting fun for children and encourage people to think about the meaning of the season a little bit more every day.
Even if you don’t celebrate Advent yourself, learning about it can help you understand the traditions and beliefs of others. Advent reminds us of hope, patience, and the joy of giving; values that everyone can appreciate during this holiday season.
