What Is Advent Season?
What Is Advent Season? Advent is a sacred period in the Christian calendar that calls believers into a time of anticipation and spiritual preparation for the birth of Christ. Marked by the four Sundays leading up to Christmas, it is a journey through themes of hope, peace, joy, and love that inspire deeper faith and meaningful reflection. Beyond lighting candles or attending services, Advent encourages Christians to pause from daily routines, focus on the promise of renewal, and strengthen bonds within their communities. It is a season of waiting and active participation in God’s plan, reminding the faithful that light always emerges from darkness.
As you embrace the spirit of Advent, consider extending that same message of hope to vulnerable girls in Honduras. Sponsor a girl today and help transform her future with love and opportunity.
Origins of the Advent Season
The word Advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “arrival,” and refers to the weeks of spiritual preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ. Historians trace the first Advent celebrations to 5th-century northern Italy, where churchgoers devoted themselves to prayer, fasting, and reflection in anticipation of Christmas. These early observances focused on renewing faith and living out the values of the Christian Church.
By the 6th century, the Council of Macon in 581 extended the practice to Tours, and soon all of France joined in observing three days of fasting each week between the feast of Saint Martin and Christmas. Local liturgical groups added even more structure, encouraging periods of abstinence that mirrored the discipline of Lent. Around this time, the Roman Catholic Church in Rome formally embraced Advent as a season of preparation for the Nativity.
As the tradition spread, its meaning shifted. In the 8th century, Advent was observed less as a formal liturgical celebration and more as a time of fasting and abstinence beginning in mid-November. By the 13th century, strict fasting was no longer widespread, but writers such as Durand of Mende noted that many Christians still practiced it to honor the season.
Over time, Advent grew richer with symbols that spoke to the hope of the Christian faith. Evergreen wreaths became a reminder of eternal life, and the Advent Wreath (with its candles representing hope, peace, joy, and love) offered families a meaningful way to mark each week leading to Christmas. In the 19th century, German Lutherans introduced the Advent calendar, giving believers a new tradition to count the days of anticipation and prepare their hearts for the arrival of Christ.
When Is Advent Season Celebrated?
Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and continues until the Nativity of Christ. More than a countdown, this season also points to the Second Coming, reminding Christians that Advent is about remembering the Nativity Story and preparing hearts for Christ’s return.
In Catholic tradition, Advent typically lasts about four weeks, though the dates shift yearly. The liturgical color for this season is usually purple or violet, symbolizing prayer and preparation, though rose may be used on the third Sunday as a sign of joy. For validation purposes, the Psalms and prophecies often highlight figures such as King David, whose lineage connects directly to Jesus Christ.
- 2022 Dates: Advent began on Sunday, November 27 and ended on Saturday, December 24.
- Length: Around four weeks, depending on the calendar year.
- Focus: Preparing for both the birth of Christ and His promised return.
How Do People Celebrate Advent Season?
Christians around the world celebrate Advent in many ways, each tradition reflecting hope, faith, and spiritual renewal. While customs vary by culture and denomination (including Orthodox theology, Catholic tradition, and Protestant practices), the Advent Wreath is one of the most cherished symbols.
During this holy time, families and churches use the Advent season to prepare for the Nativity Story and reflect on the promise of Christ’s Second Coming. As Romans 8:24-25 reminds us, “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”
The Advent Wreath
The modern four-candle Advent Wreath, first used in 1839, remains one of the most meaningful traditions. Its circular shape, made of evergreen branches, symbolizes God’s eternity, while each candle highlights a theme of the season.
| Candle Color | Meaning | Week Observed |
| Purple Candle | Hope & Preparation | 1st, 2nd, 4th Sundays |
| Pink Candle | Joy & Anticipation | 3rd Sunday |
| White Candle* | Christ, Light of the World | Christmas Eve/Day |
*A white candle is often used in Catholic and Protestant traditions.
Symbolism of Evergreens
- Laurel: Victory over persecution and suffering
- Pine, Holly, Yew: Immortality
- Cedar: Strength and healing
Together, the Advent Wreath reminds believers of eternal life in Christ and God’s promise of salvation.
Advent Candles
The Advent candle tradition is one of the most meaningful ways Christians prepare for the Nativity Story. Each of the four colored candles represents one week of Advent, and a new candle is lit each Sunday. The growing light symbolizes the approach of Christmas and the hope and peace of Christ breaking through darkness, pointing ahead not only to the joy of Christ’s birth but also to the promise fulfilled through Easter.
- First Candle (Purple Candle – Hope): Known as the Prophecy Candle, it recalls the prophets, especially Isaiah, who foretold the coming of Jesus Christ. It represents the expectation and anticipation of the Messiah.
- Second Candle (Purple Candle – Faith): Called the Bethlehem Candle, it honors Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and reminds believers of their faith in God’s promise.
- Third Candle (Pink Candle – Joy): Known as the Shepherd’s Candle, this is lit on Gaudete Sunday. Its rose color reflects joy at reaching the midpoint of Advent and celebrates the joy of Christ’s birth.
- Fourth Candle (Purple Candle – Peace): The Angel’s Candle represents peace and recalls the angels’ message: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.”
In many households, the Advent Wreath is paired with an Advent calendar, giving families a way to count down the days of this holy season while reflecting on the meaning of each Advent candle.
One of the most meaningful symbols of the Advent Season is the Advent Wreath itself. In some traditions, a white candle is placed at the center of the wreath as a beautiful modern adaptation. This candle, known as the Christ Candle, is lit on Christmas Eve to represent the life of Christ. Its white color reflects purity, reminding believers that Jesus is our sinless Savior.
For many families and churches, the Advent Wreath becomes a focal point for reflection, prayer, and reading Bible verses that prepare hearts for Christmas. It is often paired with Christmas Bible studies, devotionals, or even moments of shared teaching at a seek conference, helping the faithful connect Scripture with the symbols of hope, peace, joy, and love.
Advent Calendar
One of the most beloved traditions of the Advent Season is the Advent calendar, a joyful way to count down the days until the Nativity of Christ. Each day leading up to Christmas brings anticipation for the holiday itself and the deeper meaning of Christ’s First Coming, as told in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. This sense of waiting echoes other moments in the Christian calendar, such as the Feast of the Ascension, which reminds believers of Christ’s promise and return.
Advent calendars vary in style. Some feature chocolates, candies, or small gifts hidden behind little doors. Others focus on spiritual renewal, encouraging families to include good deeds, prayers, or acts of kindness in their preparation. These calendars help keep hearts centered on Jesus Christ while spreading community generosity.
Ideas for Advent Calendar Activities
- Acts of Kindness: Call a friend you haven’t spoken with, visit a neighbor who lives alone, or bring something meaningful to a local homeless shelter.
- Daily Prayers: Dedicate a prayer for someone new each day. With over 65 girls at Our Little Roses, you could offer a prayer for a few of them throughout the season.
- Family Involvement: Encourage children to contribute ideas; little ones often have the biggest hearts and can inspire thoughtful acts.
- Charity and Fundraising: Organize a small family fundraiser for a cause close to your heart. Supporting ministries like Our Little Roses is one way to share Christ’s love during this season.
Whether traditional or faith-focused, Advent calendars remind us that every day brings us closer to the celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth.
Other Notable Ways to Celebrate
Advent is rich with traditions that bring communities and families together. Some of the most meaningful practices include:
- Prayer and Reflection: Setting aside daily moments for prayer and meditation.
- Christmas Decorations: Putting up a Christmas tree, decorating the home, and lighting candles to mark the growing anticipation of Christmas.
- Christingle Services: Holding or attending a service with a Christingle, a symbolic object representing Jesus as the Light of the World.
The Role of Christmas Music
Music is another powerful way Christians prepare during Advent. Hymns and sacred pieces such as Nine Lessons and Carols or Handel’s Messiah Oratorio remind believers of the joy and promise of the season. Whether sung in church or played on musical instruments at home, Christmas music uplifts the spirit and keeps the focus on Christ.
Why Is Advent Season Important to Our Little Roses?
Advent Season is one of the holiest times of the year, a season of solace, remembrance, and above all, faith. For Our Little Roses, it is a time to live out our ongoing commitment to love, justice, respect, and Christian faith. The season not only prepares us to celebrate the birth of Christ but also strengthens our mission of transforming the lives of abused, abandoned, and neglected girls in Honduras.
For more than 35 years, Our Little Roses has provided hope through education, faith, and love. During Advent, we are blessed with greater visibility opportunities, whether through mission trips, volunteers, or generous supporters who feel called to make a difference. Even in a world filled with competing social causes, our unique focus on empowering vulnerable girls continues to shine as a testament to God’s love.
As Advent draws hearts closer to the Nativity of Christ and the promise of renewal, we invite you to reflect on how you might share that same hope with those in need. Give the gift of sponsorship today and help provide a girl at Our Little Roses with safety, education, and the opportunity to grow in faith.