advent

Advent is a season in the Christian liturgical calendar that prepares for Christmas. In Western churches, it lasts four Sundays and begins on the Sunday closest to November 30, the feast of Saint Andrew. It ends on Christmas Eve, December 24. Some traditions place the start date differently, but the four Sundays remain central to the approach of Christmas.

The season centers on expectancy: anticipating the birth of Jesus in the nativity and the future return of Christ. Each week traditionally emphasizes a particular theme—hope, peace, joy, and love—reflected in Scripture readings, prayers, hymns, and reflections.

Common observances include the Advent wreath, a ring of evergreen with four candles that are lit in sequence on successive Sundays; many households also use Advent calendars and Jesse trees to count down the days. Liturgical colors are typically purple or violet, with a pink or rose candle lit on the third Sunday in some denominations, and blue in others.

Historically, Advent dates to the early medieval period and was formalized in Western liturgical practice. It is most conspicuous in Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and other Protestant churches, as well as some Methodist and Reformed communities. Eastern Christianity observes a separate Nativity fast in the weeks preceding Christmas rather than a Western-style Advent season. In modern times, Advent also appears in secular culture through carols, seasonal preparations, and advent calendars.