The word advent means "a coming" and refers to the
four-week period during which Christians prepare for the coming of Jesus on
Christmas Day. Advent begins on the feast day of Saint Andrew (one of the 12
apostles of Christ) which is celebrated on the Sunday nearest November 30.
Many people use special Advent calendars to keep
track of the 24 days before Christmas. An Advent calendar has 24 numbered flaps
concealing a colorful Christmas scene. One flap is lifted daily to uncover a
holiday picture.
In addition to keeping Advent calendars, many
Christians keep an Advent wreath in their homes during the holiday season. Most
of these wreaths are made of evergreen or holly branches and may lie on a table
or hang on a door. Four candles, one for each Sunday of Advent, are placed among
the branches. On the first Sunday, the family lights one candle and joins in
prayer. They repeat this ceremony on each Sunday of Advent, lighting one
additional candle each time. Three of the candles are dark purple, and the
fourth is pink or light purple. It remains unlit until the third Sunday, when
people celebrate the beginning of the second half of Advent. A large red or
white candle, which symbolizes Jesus, is added to the center of the wreath
on Christmas Day.
The Reason For The Season