About the Season of Advent:
The season emphasizes themes of hope, peace, joy, and love, encouraging Catholics to reflect on their faith, repent, and prepare their hearts through prayer, fasting, and acts of charity.
The advent Season begins on the Sunday closest to November 30 (Saint Andrew’s Day) and marks the beginning of the Catholic Church’s liturgical calendar year. The earliest Advent can start is November 27th and the latest Advent can start is December 3rd.
Advent lasts for four Sundays.
Advent Traditions:
One tradition is that of an Advent calendar in the home. The purpose of an Advent calendar is to provide a structured way to count down the days from December 1st to Christmas Eve. This can be particularly fun for children who are anticipating Christmas (of course, visions of presents may also be in their minds!). Advent calendars build anticipation, encourage reflection, help unite and include all family members. Advent calendars also educate adults and children of the Christ child and the true meaning of Advent.
Advent calendars often include Bible verses, prayers, or religious messages that help individuals reflect on the spiritual significance of the Advent season and prepare their hearts for the celebration of Christ’s birth.
An Advent wreath is a Christian tradition symbolizing the passage of the Advent season. It typically consists of a circular wreath made from evergreen branches, representing eternal life, and holds four candles—three purple and one pink. Each candle represents one of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas, with a fifth “Christ candle” sometimes placed in the center, lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
Each week, a new candle is lit, symbolizing hope, peace, joy, and love. The growing light reflects the approach of Jesus, the Light of the World, celebrated at Christmas.
On the first Sunday of Advent, the first candle on the Advent wreath, often called the “Prophet’s Candle” or the “Candle of Hope,” is lit. This candle symbolizes the hope of the people of Israel who waited for the Messiah and the hope of Christians today for Christ’s return.
What does the second candle of Advent represent?
On the second Sunday of Advent, the second candle on the Advent wreath, often called the “Bethlehem Candle” or the “Candle of Peace,” is lit. This candle symbolizes the peace that Christ brings to the world, fulfilling the prophecy of peace found in the Scriptures.
The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally known as Gaudete Sunday, a day of rejoicing. The word “Gaudete” means “rejoice” in Latin, reflecting the joyful anticipation of Christmas. The third candle is often called the “Shepard’s Candle” or the “Joy Candle.” On this day, the pink (or rose) candle on the Advent wreath is lit, symbolizing joy. You will also see that priests and deacons dress in rose-colored vestments.
On the fourth Sunday of Advent, the fourth candle on the Advent wreath, known as the “Angel’s Candle” or the “Candle of Love,” is lit. This candle symbolizes the love that God has for humanity and the love that Christians are called to share with others. This is the final Sunday of Advent, just a few days before Christmas, and it focuses on the theme of love and the preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ.