What is Advent?
Awaiting theological review
The simple answer
Advent is the season of about four weeks before Christmas, and the beginning of the Church's year. The word means coming. In Advent, Christians wait for Jesus in two ways: they prepare to celebrate his first coming, as a child in Bethlehem, and they remember that he will come again at the end of time. The colour is purple, with rose on the third Sunday, a Sunday of joy. Many families light the candles of an Advent wreath, one more each Sunday, as Christmas draws near.
In the Bible
Isaiah announces that a virgin will conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel, God with us.
Isaiah 7:14Isaiah also speaks of a people walking in darkness who see a great light, and of a voice crying: prepare the way of the Lord.
Isaiah 9:2 · Isaiah 40:3–5John the Baptist preaches in the desert, calling people to repent and prepare the way of the Lord.
Matthew 3:1–3The angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will bear the Son of the Most High, and she answers yes.
Luke 1:26–38Jesus tells his disciples to stay awake, because they do not know when the master of the house will come.
Mark 13:33–37Where it comes from
In the 4th and 5th centuries, churches in Gaul and Spain kept a time of preparation, with fasting, before Christmas and Epiphany. By the 6th century Rome had a shorter Advent of a few weeks, which became the four Sundays known today.
The O Antiphons, sung from 17 to 23 December, call on Christ with titles from the prophets: Wisdom, Lord, Root of Jesse, Key of David, Dawn, King of the nations, Emmanuel. They go back at least to the early Middle Ages.
The Advent wreath is recent: it comes from 19th-century Germany, in a Protestant setting, and was later taken up by Catholic families and parishes.
Advent begins on the Sunday closest to 30 November and has two parts: until 16 December it looks mostly to the second coming of Christ; from 17 December it prepares more directly for Christmas.
Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, 39-42 (numbers awaiting verification)(awaiting verification)What the Church teaches
The good news is that God has sent his Son: what the prophets awaited is fulfilled in Jesus.
CCC 422The Annunciation to Mary begins the fullness of time, when God's promises start to be fulfilled.
CCC 484When the Church celebrates Advent each year, she makes present the ancient expectancy of the Messiah, so that the faithful renew their desire for his second coming.
Catechism 524 (number awaiting verification)(awaiting verification)A common misunderstanding
Advent is the Christmas shopping season, or Christmas started early.
In fact
Advent is a time of waiting, not of celebrating yet. Its joy is quiet: preparing the heart, not filling the calendar. Christmas begins on 25 December and lasts until the Baptism of the Lord.
Why it matters today
Light the Advent wreath at dinner and say a short prayer. Read a few verses of Isaiah or Luke each day. Make room in December for silence and for someone who is alone. Many people go to confession before Christmas.
Bible passages
Isaiah 7:14 · Isaiah 9:2 · Isaiah 40:3–5 · Matthew 3:1–3 · Luke 1:26–38 · Mark 13:33–37 · Revelation 22:20Catechism
People and saints
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Catechism 524 (number awaiting verification)awaiting verification
Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, 39-42 (numbers awaiting verification)awaiting verification