Liturgical Seasons: Advent

What is Advent?
Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, meaning "coming." Advent begins the church year, starting four Sundays before Christmas. The season of Advent has been set aside as a time of preparation for Christmas since at least the last half of the 6th century. Advent is a time for self-examination and asking for forgiveness as the church is preparing for Christ’s Second Coming even as it prepares for Christmas. This is why the color of the season is purple (or sometimes blue), which is used for marking Lent, the season of self-examination preceding Easter. The third week in Advent is set aside as more celebratory than the others. Rose is the color of this week rather than purple to mark the week, which is why a rose candle is used in Advent wreaths.

Holy Days & Events

• Blue Christmas
• Stations of the Creche'
• Christmas Play

When is Advent?
It begins four Sundays before Christmas and is set aside as a season to prepare for Christmas, Christ's first coming, and to remember that he will come again.