The season
What Is Advent? Meaning, Themes And How To Celebrate It
What Advent means, when it starts, why it looks back to Jesus' birth and forward to His return, the traditional themes and the Advent wreath, and simple ways for individuals, families and churches to keep it.
·3 min read·Jesus Festival Movement
Before the lights, the shopping and the carols, the Church has always kept a quieter season: Advent. It is four weeks of waiting, longing and getting ready — not just for a holiday, but for a Person.
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
What the word means
Advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning coming or arrival. The season remembers that God's people waited centuries for the promised Messiah — and that He came, born in Bethlehem. Immanuel: God with us.
When Advent starts
Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, so it always falls between November 27 and December 3, and runs until Christmas Eve. Many churches also treat it as the beginning of the Christian year.
Looking back, and looking forward
Advent holds two arrivals together. It looks back to Jesus' first coming, as a baby in a manger. And it looks forward to His second coming, when He will return and make all things new. Christians live between the two — which is why Advent is about hope, not just nostalgia.
“He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”
The four themes
Many churches give each Sunday a theme. One common pattern is:
Hope
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light (Isaiah 9:2).
Peace
His name shall be called Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).
Joy
Good news of great joy that will be for all the people (Luke 2:10).
Love
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son (John 3:16).
Traditions vary — some churches use other themes, such as the prophets, Bethlehem, the shepherds and the angels — but every version points to the same Saviour.
The Advent wreath
An Advent wreath is a ring of evergreen with four candles, one lit for each Sunday, so the light grows as Christmas nears. Often three candles are purple and one is pink, for the third Sunday, a Sunday of joy. Many wreaths have a white centre candle — the Christ candle — lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, because the Light of the world has come.
How to keep Advent
- Read the story. Isaiah's promises, then Luke 1–2 and Matthew 1–2, a little each day.
- Pray for your city. Our free Advent prayer guide gives you four weeks of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love, with prayers for the people and streets around you.
- Light the candles together. As a family or with friends, one more each Sunday, with a reading and a short prayer.
- Make room. Advent is a good season to slow down, give generously and serve someone who will be alone.
- Invite someone. Christmas is one of the few times people who never think about church are open to it. Here's how to invite someone to church at Christmas.
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Questions people ask
What is Advent?
Advent is the season of waiting and preparation before Christmas. The word comes from the Latin adventus, meaning coming or arrival. Christians use it to remember Jesus' first coming at Bethlehem and to look forward to His promised return.
When does Advent start?
Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, so it always starts between November 27 and December 3, and runs until Christmas Eve. Many churches also treat it as the start of the Christian year.
What are the four Sundays of Advent?
Many churches give each Sunday a theme — commonly hope, peace, joy and love — and light one more candle on an Advent wreath each week. Traditions vary; some use other themes, such as the prophets, Bethlehem, the shepherds and the angels.
What do the candles on an Advent wreath mean?
An Advent wreath usually holds four candles, one lit for each Sunday of Advent, often three purple and one pink — the pink for the third Sunday, a Sunday of joy. Many wreaths have a white centre candle, the Christ candle, lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.