How Many Days Until Advent?
Advent 2025 begins on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
About Advent
Advent is a season observed in many Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas and the return of Jesus at the Second Coming. The term "Advent" is derived from the Latin word *adventus*, meaning "coming." The season begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas (Advent Sunday) and ends on Christmas Eve.
Meaning: Expectant Waiting & Preparation
Advent is a period of spiritual preparation, marked by a sense of anticipation and hope. It has a dual focus:
Preparing for Christmas
Remembering and celebrating the first coming of Christ – his birth in Bethlehem. It's a time to reflect on the Incarnation.
Anticipating the Second Coming
Looking forward with hope to Christ's promised return in glory at the end of time.
Penitence and Reflection
Traditionally, Advent has a penitential aspect, encouraging self-examination and repentance in preparation for Christ's coming.
Growing Light
The progressive lighting of Advent candles symbolizes the growing light of Christ entering the world, dispelling darkness.
The Advent Wreath
A central tradition of Advent is the Advent wreath, typically an evergreen wreath with four candles (three purple, one pink/rose), and sometimes a fifth white candle in the center.
- Evergreen Wreath: Symbolizes continuous life and God's everlasting love.
- Four Outer Candles: Represent the four weeks of Advent. One candle is lit each Sunday.
- Three Purple Candles: Symbolize prayer, penance, preparation, and royalty. Lit on the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Sundays.
- One Pink/Rose Candle: Symbolizes joy. Lit on the 3rd Sunday (Gaudete Sunday), marking the midpoint of Advent and a shift towards joyful anticipation.
- Optional White Center Candle (Christ Candle): Lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, representing Christ, the Light of the World.
Weekly Themes of Advent
While traditions vary, the four Sundays of Advent are often associated with specific themes, reflected in prayers and readings:
Hope (Prophecy)
Focuses on the Old Testament prophecies foretelling the coming of the Messiah. (Purple Candle)
Peace (Bethlehem)
Remembers the journey of Mary and Joseph and the preparation for Christ's birth in Bethlehem. (Purple Candle)
Joy (Shepherds)
Gaudete Sunday ("Rejoice Sunday"). Focuses on the joy of the shepherds upon hearing the good news. (Pink/Rose Candle)
Love (Angels)
Focuses on the message of the angels proclaiming God's love for the world through the birth of Christ. (Purple Candle)
How Advent is Observed
Lighting the Advent Wreath
Families and churches light the corresponding candle(s) each week, often accompanied by prayers or readings.
Advent Calendars
Used to count down the days to Christmas, often with small treats or images revealed each day.
Liturgical Color
Purple (or sometimes blue in some traditions) is the primary color, signifying royalty and penitence. Rose/pink is used on Gaudete Sunday.
Music and Hymns
Advent hymns often express themes of longing, preparation, and hope (e.g., "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel").
Prayer and Reflection
A time for increased prayer, scripture reading (especially prophecies and nativity accounts), and spiritual reflection.
Preparing for Christmas
While distinct from Christmas, Advent involves practical preparations for the feast, ideally balanced with spiritual focus.