What is Advent? Here's when it starts, how long it lasts and what the candles mean

For many people who observe Christian traditions, Advent marks the beginning of the liturgical year and serves as a period of anticipation and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas.

This year, Advent starts on Sunday, Dec. 3, and will encompass four weeks, with each week dedicated to a specific theme represented by the lighting of candles on an Advent wreath.

The themes typically include hope, peace, joy and love. The use of distinctive candle colors, such as purple for penance and royalty and pink or rose for rejoicing, adds symbolic depth to the observance.

Throughout Advent, believers engage in church services, scripture readings, prayers and acts of kindness, fostering a spiritual journey toward the celebration of Christmas.

Here's everything you need to know about Advent.  

What is Advent?

In addition to its use describing the season leading up to the birth of Christ, the term "advent" is also used more broadly to denote the arrival, emergence or coming of a significant person, event or thing, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

What is the true meaning of Advent?

We talked to Ryan Weekley, evangelist at Phoenix Church of Christ, who said people often think of Advent as a calendar that starts on Dec. 1 and counts up to Christmas on Dec. 25.

“However, its spiritual significance in the Christian faith is much greater," Weekley said. "For Christians, the 'arrivals' we reflect on are not the Christmas holiday but the arrival of Jesus to this world. It's the points in time where God, through Jesus, comes to dwell with his creation.”

Weekley said the coming of Christ is not simply a historical event or a future occurrence to wait for; it's meant to shape believers into people of peace, compassion and holiness.

When does Advent start?

This year, Advent starts on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023.  

How long does Advent last?

Advent ends on Christmas Day, Dec. 25. 

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What happens during Advent?

Scripture readings, prayer and reflection are integral to Advent. Some people light candles on an Advent wreath. For others, Advent is celebrated as a faith community with long-standing traditions. 

Weekley says he would not label any specific manifestation of Advent as definitively "right." Instead, he encourages Christians to engage according to their convictions.

“As Christianity has many denominations and forms across the world, I wouldn’t assume that all Christians take part in the traditional Advent season," Weekley said.

"For some, Advent is something done personally or as a family unit in the home. I’ve seen these expressions of Advent be more subjective and fluid and more personal than traditional." 

What are the 4 things of Advent?

Here's the significance of the four themes of Advent:

• Hope: The first week of Advent often focuses on hope. It represents the anticipation and expectation of the arrival of the Messiah, embodying the hope for salvation and the fulfillment of God's promises.
• Peace: The second week of Advent commonly centers around peace. People reflect on the peace brought by the coming of Jesus Christ, both in terms of inner spiritual peace and the hope for a peaceful world.
• Joy and Love: The third and fourth weeks of Advent often emphasize joy and love. Joy represents the rejoicing in the arrival of Jesus, and love symbolizes the divine love demonstrated through the incarnation of God in human form.

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Is Advent a Catholic tradition?

Advent is not exclusively a Catholic tradition. Other Christian denominations, including Protestant, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist and Eastern Orthodox, also celebrate Advent.

“To my knowledge, the history of Advent is difficult to determine," Weekley said.

"While it is a tradition in the Catholic Church, I would not label it as a ‘Catholic tradition.’ There are certain doctrines or practices that are exclusive to the Catholic Church, but I know of many Christians who are not Catholic who faithfully participate in the Advent season.” 

What do people do on Advent Sunday?

Advent Sunday marks the beginning of the Advent season. Here are some common practices associated with Advent Sunday, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops:

• Church services.
• Lighting of the first Advent candle.
• Scripture readings.
• Advent calendars.
• Reflection and prayer.

These practices can vary; the overarching theme is of anticipation, reflection and preparation to celebrate Christmas.

Why is there a pink and purple candle on Advent Sunday?

The tradition of using specific colors for Advent candles has symbolic significance. Each candle represents a different week of Advent, and the colors convey specific themes. No color has any more significance than any other color, Weekley said.

• Purple candle: Purple is traditionally associated with penance and preparation. The first, second and fourth candles are often purple, representing the themes of hope, peace and love. These weeks are times of reflection and anticipation as Christians prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus.
• Pink candle: The third candle, often lit on Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent, is pink or rose in color. This Sunday is a day of rejoicing and marks the midpoint of Advent. Pink symbolizes joy, and Gaudete Sunday is a reminder of the joy that Christians experience as the celebration of Christ's birth draws nearer.

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