ADVENT

Advent

Advent is the Season that includes four Sundays preceding Christmas. The Advent Season marks the beginning of the Liturgical Calendar. It always begins in late November or early December. On November 30th or on the Sunday that is the closest to this date, the Catholic Church begins the Liturgical Season of Advent. Advent ends on December 24th before the evening prayer of Christmas.

One of the primary traditions of Advent is the lighting of the Advent wreath. Each candle lit represents an aspect of the spiritual preparation for the coming of the Lord, Jesus Christ. The circle of branches of the wreath symbolize the eternal cycle of the seasons while the evergreens and lighted candles signify the persistence of life.

The Advent wreath contains 4 candles. All of the candles are purple except the third (which is rose). The symbolic meanings of the candles can vary but they are often:

  1. Hope — expectation of what is to come and sometimes prophecy
  2. Love — sometimes called the Bethlehem Candle
  3. Joy — this rose candle is often called Mary’s Candle
  4. Peace — it can often be called the Angel’s Candle

The color of Advent is purple. You’ll see purple used quite often in banners around the church or in the vestments of the clergy.

Purple is used at Advent as it is at Lent to represent the penitential nature of the season. In fact, Advent used to be known as “little Lent.” The color is a symbolic reminder for us to be preparing ourselves for the coming of our Lord.

The third Sunday during Advent is called Gaudete Sunday. The word Gaudete means “rejoice.” On that Sunday your priest may wear rose vestments. This color is meant to remind us that Christmas is drawing near.