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Christmas is coming, but before any presents are unwrapped, there’s something else to celebrate! In the weeks leading up to Christmas Day, Christians around the world observe the Advent season, a four-week period of preparation and reflection.
Advent is more than just a countdown to Christmas. It’s a time to focus on the true reason for the season—remembering the birth of Jesus Christ and celebrating the joy and hope His arrival brings. During these weeks, Christians reflect on the significance of Christ’s coming and look ahead to His return, all while marking the season with traditions like scripture reading, charity work, lighting Advent candles, and spending time with loved ones.
Advent is a season of anticipation and joy—a time to pause amidst all the holiday hoopla and and truly celebrate the meaning of Christmas.
What Is Advent?
The term “advent” comes from the Latin word adventus meaning “to come” or “arrival.” Put simply, Advent season is a time to celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ which is recognized in three ways: His birth in Bethlehem, His coming into the hearts of believers, and His Second Coming on Judgement Day.
Advent usually begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day (December 25), almost always starting between November 25 and December 3, allowing for four weeks of commemoration and celebration of Jesus’ humble birth and nativity and hoping for the day when He will return. Advent ends on Christmas Eve.
The four weeks of the Advent season are a time for reflection and prayer, and there are four specific themes that are reflected upon in the days leading up to Christmas.
The Four Pillars of Advent
Four pillars, or principles, are traditionally recognized during each week in the Advent season. The Four Pillars of Advent are Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love and each week, a different pillar is observed reflected upon.
The first Sunday of Advent season is a time to reflect on hope and to remember or learn about the prophecy of the coming Messiah. Second Sunday’s theme is peace, symbolizing Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem in preparation for Jesus’ birth. Joy is celebrated on the third Sunday of Advent season, recognizing the birth of the Lord and savior and the joy of His eventual return. Finally, the fourth Sunday of Advent is a time to remember God’s love that the angels sang of at the birth of Jesus.
Scriptures from the Old Testament Book of Isaiah and the Gospels of Matthew and John reveal the significance of each of these four pillars and some Christian denominations celebrate by holding special readings of these scriptures and by lighting candles to represent the four pillars.
How is Advent Celebrated?
People all around the world recognize the Advent season and celebrations vary amongst communities.
Some families keep advent calendars with small doors or pockets with presents or treats inside that are opened each day in December. Some congregations may sing hymns about the arrival of the savior while other churches hold special services during Advent season where scriptures and special passages are read about the coming Messiah.
During these services, they may light an Advent Wreath, a circle of evergreens (representing everlasting life and God’s unending love) that holds four candles, three purple, one red or rose colored. Pinecones may also be added to the wreath symbolizing the new life Jesus brings. Each candle represents the four pillars of Advent and a candle is lit every Sunday leading up to Christmas. A fifth white candle is sometimes placed in the center of the wreath, representing Jesus’ birth on Christmas Day.
Many Christians may choose to spend this season of preparation in prayer, fasting, and repentance or by doing some form of charity to share the love and joy of the season with neighbors. Overall, Advent season is a time to observe the significance of Jesus’ arrival on Earth and reflect on everything He taught his followers. It’s a time to remember the principles of hope, peace, joy, and love that Jesus embodied and find ways to exemplify these traits every day of the holiday season.
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