Advent, in the Christian calendar, is a season of expectant waiting and preparation for celebrating Jesus Christ's birth at Christmas and anticipating His second coming. The term anglicised from the Latin "ad + venire" (to come), forming "adventus," meaning "arrival." Advent symbolises Christ's arrival in our hearts, the world, and fulfillment of God's plan for salvation.
The Latin adventus translates the Greek parousia, often referring to Christ’s Second Coming. For Christians, Advent recalls the Hebrews’ anticipation of the Messiah’s birth and Christians’ ongoing wait for Christ’s return from Heaven, where He is seated at God’s right hand.
Advent marks the start of the Church's liturgical year (Levavi), beginning on the Sunday closest to November 30 and ending on the fourth Sunday before December 25. The Church observes two preparatory seasons: Advent and Lent. Advent, lasting four weeks, is a time of joyful anticipation, preparing for Christ's presence among us. Lent, spanning 40 days, emphasises penance, prayer, and conversion, reflecting on Christ's death and resurrection.
Biblical significance
The Israelites long awaited the Messiah to fulfill God’s promises and bring deliverance. John the Baptist proclaimed Jesus Christ, God’s Son, as the promised Messiah and the Lamb of God who takes away the world’s sins.
Advent renews the Church’s experience of waiting and longing for the Messiah. Though Christ has already come, it invites us to deepen our desire for His presence in our lives and prepare for His triumphant return.
This season encourages silence, prayer, reflection, Scripture, and the sacraments to prepare for Christmas. The Catechism of the Catholic Church highlights Advent's goal: to relive the ancient expectancy of the Messiah by sharing in the preparation for the Savior’s first coming.
Symbols
Key symbols of Advent include the wreath, candles, and purple vestments. Used since the Middle Ages, the Advent wreath—a circle of evergreen branches—represents hope in new and eternal life in Christ. Its four candles, lit progressively over the four weeks, symbolise growing anticipation for Jesus Christ, the Light who dispels darkness (Jn 3:19-21).
Lighting Advent candles reminds us that Christ is the Light of the world. The four candles on the wreath represent Christian virtues: Hope, Peace, Joy, and God’s boundless Love. Three purple candles, lit on the first, second, and fourth Sundays, symbolise prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—key Advent practices. The pink candle, lit on Gaudete Sunday (the third Sunday), signifies joy as we rejoice at being halfway through Advent.
How to plan?
The Church encourages prayer, fasting, and almsgiving during Advent. In Prayer seek quiet moments to hear God’s voice and draw closer to Him. Make a sincere confession to prepare your heart. Show generosity toward the needy. Practice fasting as a spiritual discipline. Reflect daily on passages from the Bible about Jesus’ coming. Attend daily Mass and special services at the church. Contemplate Christ’s three comings—His birth, His presence now, and His return at the end of time.
Pope Francis (Angelus, 2018) calls Advent a time for vigilance, urging us to look beyond ourselves, expand our hearts, and respond to the needs of others and the hope for a renewed world.
Here is a short prayer. In this Advent of expectation draw us together in unity that our praise and worship might echo in these walls and also through our lives.
In this Advent of expectation draw us together in mission, that the hope within
might be the song we sing, and the melody of our lives.
In this Advent of expectation draw us together in service, that the path we follow
might lead us from a stable to a glimpse of eternity.
