The Season of Advent

The Christian Season of Advent begins on 3 December, bringing “Ordinary Time” to an end. Advent is celebrated by all practicing Christians, but somewhat differently in the Eastern Orthodox Church, where it is called Winter Lent, Christmas Lent or the Nativity Fast.

“Advent” comes from the Latin word “adventus”, for arrival, coming, or approach. The approach is that of Christ, more specifically his Second Coming. In the past, also his Epiphany was intended, but nowadays the attention is also on his (first) coming at the Incarnation. Thus Advent is the time to prepare for Christmas, just like Lent is the preparatory season for Easter.

As Advent is the first season in the Western Christian calendar, 3 December (in 2006) is officially the ecclesiastical New Year, comparable to Rosh HaShanah in the Jewish calendar. But there is amongst Christians no real sense or celebration of a “new year”. In fact, for many Christians the whole season of Advent passes by without notice.

For practicing Christians, though, the unique aura of Advent is palpable. Looking ahead to the Coming of Christ on Judgment Day, it is a solemn time of introspection and penitence: fasting, though not as strictly as at Lent, and abstinence from festivities. There is a strange mix of fearful hope, of something terrible and beautiful about to happen.

This mix is visible in the colors of the season. The vestments of the officiant change from the green of Ordinary Time to purple, in recognition of the coming of a King. The exception is the third or “Gaudete Sunday” (after the Latin for “rejoice”), when the vestments are a less somber pink. It is a reminder that half of Advent has passed, and the gravity and restrictions are relaxed.

Churches as well as homes display an Advent wreath: a garland of evergreen leaves symbolizing God’s eternity, upon which stand 4 or 5 candles. Every Saturday evening the next candle is lit. This is a beautiful way of counting down the days till Christmas.

• First, the prophet’s candle, for hope, is purple (or blue)
• Second, the Bethlehem’s candle, for love, is also purple
• Third, the shepherd’s candle, lit on Gaudete Sunday, is pink for joy
• Fourth, the angel’s candle, for peace, is purple again
• Last, if there is a fifth candle, it is the white or gold Christ candle that is lit on Christmas Day

Advent Dates for 2006: (The first Sunday in Advent is always the 4th Sunday before Christmas or the Sunday nearest to November 30):

• 2006: 3 December - 24 December
• 2007: 2 December - 23 December

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