Advent

Summary

The traditional Advent season invites participants into four weeks of deep reflection on the advent, or arrival, of God in Jesus of Nazareth, as well as on his promised return. From focused prayer and Scripture reading, to candled wreaths and embellished calendars, Advent celebrations vary widely. But all Advent practices share a heightened anticipation for God’s arrival. More than a countdown to Christmas, Advent embraces the way of Jesus and encourages hopeful waiting, courageous peace-making, resilient joy, and self-giving love in our still-suffering world.

The Meaning and Significance of Advent

For many, “advent” means a countdown to Christmas. Whether we envision candy-filled Advent calendars or lights draped over houses with nativity scenes out front, Advent marks a happy season of celebrating.

But the word “advent” comes from the Latin adventus, which is about a “coming” or an “arrival.” The Latin translation of the New Testament uses adventus to describe God the Son arriving on Earth, born as Jesus of Nazareth during the 1st century C.E. (see Acts 7:52). Still, throughout Church history, Advent has more traditionally referred to Jesus’ future arrival, when he comes to complete his work of restoring all creation (see Matt. 24:27; 1 Cor. 15:23; 1 Thess. 3:13).

The Advent season leads to the celebration of Jesus’ birth and also emphasizes his future arrival. It’s a season that includes practices like prayer, giving to those in need, and worship (plus more, depending on the tradition). And it reminds us that we’re living during the time between Jesus’ first and second advents, leading us to lament the hardships we experience in a still-broken world, while also forming us into people who wait with longing for the renewed world to come. 

Celebrating Advent also means living into it by practicing a generous way of love and care for our neighbors as we partner with Jesus to bring peace on Earth.

The Four Weeks of Advent

In most Christian traditions, Advent is a four-week season of celebration and observation prior to Christmas, each week often focusing on a particular biblical theme. Although the selection and arrangement of themes can vary, these are some themes commonly explored during Advent. 

• Week 1: Hope

• Week 2: Peace

• Week 3: Joy

• Week 4: Love    

This guide is intended to help you meditate on each of these themes so that you might deepen your understanding of Advent and experience the season in a new way. You’ll also find an Advent calendar below with daily reflections that begin on the first Sunday of Advent.

Embracing the Season: Modern Advent Traditions

Christians around the world participate in different Advent customs. A couple of the most widely followed traditions involve Advent wreaths and Advent calendars.

The Advent wreath’s circular shape symbolizes God’s unending life (Ps. 90:2; Ps. 102:24-27). Lying flat, it supports four colorful (usually pink or purple) candles, each representing one of four focused Advent themes, such as hope, peace, joy, or love. 

Participants (churches, families, or individuals) traditionally dedicate time each Sunday during Advent to meditate on that week’s theme while also lighting candles. On the first week, they light one candle. On the second, they light two. And this continues until all four weeks have passed. 

Then, on Christmas Eve, they light a fifth candle at the wreath’s center. Often white in color and sometimes called the “Christ candle,” its flame symbolizes God’s light entering our dark world through the birth of Jesus (see John 1:5-9; John 8:12).

Many people use festive calendars to encourage reflection on each day of Advent. Some provide small candies or toys as gifts each day, reminding people about the great gifts of God we receive through Jesus. Advent calendars also provide a fun way to count down to Christmas, building anticipation with each day checked or each small gift opened. 

The calendar below is designed to encourage deeper meditation on the themes of Advent, helping you engage the season in a fuller way. It begins on the first Sunday of Advent, and each day offers one or two verses from Scripture to consider, along with an accompanying question to help spark reflection.

Download the Advent Calendar PDF here.

Frequently Asked Questions