Advent Begins November 30
The start of the
Christmas season
by Holly Hartman
Advent is the period
preceding the Christmas season. It
begins on the Sunday nearest November 30, the feast day of St. Andrew the
Apostle, and covers four Sundays. Because the day it begins changes from
year to year, so does the length of each Advent season. In 2008, Advent begins
on November 30.
The word advent,
from Latin, means "the coming." For centuries, Advent has been a time of
spiritual reflection as well as cheer and anticipation. Even as the
Christmas season has become more secular-with advertisers urging holiday
gift-givers to buy and buy some more-Advent still brings joy and the
observance of ancient customs. Christian families find quiet moments
lighting candles in the Advent wreath, and children use Advent calendars to
count the days until Christmas.
The History of Advent
Advent
has probably been observed since the fourth century. Originally, it was a
time when converts to Christianity readied
themselves for baptism.
During the Middle Ages, Advent became
associated with preparation for the Second Coming. In early days Advent
lasted from November 11, the feast of St. Martin, until Christmas Day.
Advent was considered a pre-Christmas season of Lent when Christians devoted
themselves to prayer and fasting. The Orthodox Eastern Church observes a
similar Lenten season, from November 15 until Christmas, rather than
Advent.
Many Christians still view Advent as a season to prepare for
the Second Coming of Jesus. In the last fifty years, however, it has also
come to be thought of as a time of anticipating the Nativity, on Christmas Day.
Advent
Wreaths
Advent wreaths have their origins in the folk traditions of
northern Europe, where in the deep of winter people lit candles on
wheel-shaped bundles of evergreen. Both the evergreen and the circular shape
symbolized ongoing life. The candlelight gave comfort at this darkest time of the year, as people looked
forward to the longer days of spring.
Later, Eastern European
Christians adopted this practice. By the sixteenth century, they were making
Advent wreaths much as we know them today. An advent wreath traditionally
contains four candles-three purple and one rose. Purple dyes were one so
rare and costly that they were associated with royalty; the Roman Catholic Church has long used
this color around Christmas and Easter to honor Jesus. The three purple
candles in the Advent wreath symbolize hope, peace, and love. These candles
are lit on the first, second, and fourth Sundays of Advent. The rose candle,
which symbolizes joy, is usually lit on the third Sunday.
Sometimes a
fifth candle is placed inside the Advent wreath. This candle is lit on
Christmas Day. It is white, the color associated with angels and the birth
of Jesus.
Because Advent
wreaths are an informal celebration, not all are the same. Instead of purple
candles, some people use blue, which recalls the color of the night sky
before daylight returns. Others use all white candles.
Advent
Calendars
An advent calendar is a card or poster with twenty-four
small doors, one to be opened each day from December 1 until Christmas Eve.
Each door conceals a picture. This popular tradition arose in Germany in the late 1800s and soon spread
throughout Europe and North America. Originally, the images in Advent
calendars were derived from the Hebrew Bible.
Considered a fun way of
counting down the days until Christmas, many Advent calendars today have no
religious content. Now, alongside traditional Advent calendars depicting
angels and biblical figures are those whose doors open to display teddy
bears, pieces of chocolate, or photos of pop stars.
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