Advent Time

What is Advent, you say?

Advent has quite a history actually. It traces back to about the 4th century in Spain where they would prepare for Epiphany Baptisms.

By the 6th century, Pope Gregory attached it to the anticipation of Christmas, shortened it to 4 weeks and established it as the liturgical year’s start.

Now we enter into Advent with prayer, reflection, and preparation for Christ’s birth.

Catholics/Christians often have Advent wreaths in their homes.

Each week we light one candle.

On the first Sunday we light the ‘Prophecy candle’ which signifies HOPE! (It is purple)

On the second Sunday we light another purple candle called the Bethlehem candle which represents LOVE.

On the third Sunday we light a pink candle called the Shepherd’s candle which signifies JOY.

The fourth Sunday has us lighting the last purple candle called the Angel’s candle representing PEACE.

In the middle ours has a white candle which is called the Christ candle which we light on Christmas Day. It signifies the light of Christ that came into the world. We light our candles at dinner time.

We are coming up to the second Sunday in Advent.

It is a wonderful time to commemorate the birth of Jesus….the “reason for the season”.

Happy Advent all!

May your preparations be less about decorating and wrapping and more about the WHY that we celebrate!