The word advent comes from the Latin term "adventus" meaning "arrival" or "coming," particularly the coming of something having great importance. For Christians, Advent is a period of spiritual preparation as we make ourselves ready for the coming, or birth of the Lord, Jesus Christ. The Advent season is a time of joy-filled, anticipatory celebration of the arrival of the Christ Child. Advent begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day and last through Christmas Eve with the season of Advent lasting anywhere from 22-28 days.
The Advent wreath, consisting of five candles (three dark blue and one pink set in the wreath and a larger white candle in the center) represents specific aspects of the spiritual preparations for Christmas. The first dark blue candle is called the Candle of Hope. The second dark blue candle is the Candle of Peace. The third (pink) candle is the Candle of Joy. The fourth (dark blue) candle is the Candle of Love. During each Sunday of Advent one of the candles set in the wreath is lit as we prepare for Christmas. The last (white) candle in the center of the wreath is the Christ Candle and is lit on Christmas Eve/Christmas.
Join us as we begin our journey and season of preparation during this Advent season culminating with the coming or birth of the Christ Child!
