Advent

This article is about the Western Christian practice. For Eastern Christian practice, see Nativity Fast. For other uses, see Advent (disambiguation).

Advent
Lighting the candles of an Advent wreath in a church service
Observed byChristians
TypeChristian, cultural
SignificancePreparation for the Second Coming and commemoration of the birth of Jesus
ObservancesChurch services, completing an Advent calendar and Advent wreath,[1] praying through a daily devotional,[1] erecting a Chrismon tree,[1] hanging of the greens,[1] lighting a Christingle,[2] gift giving, family and other social gatherings
BeginsFourth (or, in the Ambrosian and Mozarabic Rites, sixth) Sunday before Christmas
2023 date
2024 date
2025 date
2026 date
FrequencyAnnual
Related toChristmastide, Christmas Eve, Annunciation, Epiphany, Epiphanytide, Baptism of the Lord, Nativity Fast, Nativity of Jesus

Advent is a season observed in most Christian denominations as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the Nativity of Christ at Christmas and the return of Christ at the Second Coming. Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year in Western Christianity. The name was adopted from Latin adventus ('coming; arrival'), translating the Greek parousia from the New Testament, originally referring to the Second Coming.

The season of Advent in the Christian calendar anticipates the "coming of Christ" from three different perspectives: the physical nativity in Bethlehem, the reception of Christ in the heart of the believer, and the eschatological Second Coming.[a]

Practices associated with Advent include Advent calendars, lighting an Advent wreath,[b] praying an Advent daily devotional,[1] erecting a Chrismon tree,[1] lighting a Christingle,[2] as well as other ways of preparing for Christmas, such as setting up Christmas decorations,[6] a custom that is sometimes done liturgically through a hanging of the greens ceremony.[1][7]

The analogue of Advent in Eastern Christianity is called the Nativity Fast, but it differs in meaning, length, and observances, and does not begin the liturgical church year as it does in the West. The Eastern Nativity Fast does not use the term parousia in its preparatory services.[8]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Kennedy, Rodney Wallace; Hatch, Derek C. (2013). Baptists at Work in Worship. Wipf and Stock Publishers. p. 147. ISBN 978-1-62189-843-6. There are a variety or worship practices that enable a congregation to celebrate Advent: lighting an advent wreath, a hanging of the greens service, a Chrismon tree, and an Advent devotional booklet.
  2. ^ a b Geddes, Gordon; Griffiths, Jane (2001). Christianity. Heinemann. p. 99. ISBN 978-0-435-30695-3. Many churches hold Christingle services during Advent. Children are given a Christingle.adaa
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Pfatteicher2013 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Dennis Bratcher. The Season of Advent: Anticipation and Hope. Christian Research Institute. Archived from the original on 2 January 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2010. Finally, the light that has come into the world is plainly visible as the Christ candle is lighted at Christmas, and worshippers rejoice over the fact that the hope and promise of long ago have been realized.
  5. ^ Germany Green Guide Michelin 2012–2013. Michelin. 2012. p. 73. ISBN 978-2-0671-8211-0.
  6. ^ Normark, Helena (1997). Modern Christmas. Graphic Garden. Christmas in Sweden starts with Advent, which is the await for the arrival of Jesus. The symbol for it is the Advent candlestick with four candles in it, and we light one more candle for each of the four Sundays before Christmas. Most people start putting up the Christmas decorations on the first of Advent.
  7. ^ Rice, Howard L.; Huffstutler, James C. (2001). Reformed Worship. Westminster John Knox Press. p. 197. ISBN 978-0-664-50147-1. Another popular activity is the 'Hanging of the Greens,' a service in which the sanctuary is decorated for Christmas.
  8. ^ Fritts, Kevin Basil (14 November 2012). "Four reasons it's not 'Advent'" (blog). Retrieved 29 September 2014.


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