Festivals in the Protestant Church - CCEAAdvent

Advent means ‘the Coming’. This indicates the coming of Jesus. And so it is a time for believers to look at themselves spiritually and prepare for the celebration of the incarnation of Jesus’.

Advent is the period leading up to Christmas, it lasts for four weeks. It starts on the Sunday nearest to 30 November, and ends on the fourth Sunday before 25 December.

The word ‘advent’ means ‘coming’. It is a time of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Many Advent customs involve counting the days until Christmas begins, such as the secular use of a chocolate advent calendar.

Some churches have an advent wreath with five candles, one for each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas Day and one for Christmas Day itself. There are different readings on each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas Day.

^{An advent wreath with four candles lit. The fifth candle is lit on Christmas day.}

Purple is the usual liturgical colour used during Advent in the UK. The colour is often used for hangings around the church and the clergy’s vestments etc.

What Advent means for Christians today

Advent reminds Christians of the sacred meaning of Christmas, despite the secular preparations taking place, eg buying presents and going to parties. It is a time to remember the birth of Jesus, something which Christians may do by attending carol services.