The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." During the season of Advent, which traditionally begins four Sundays before Christmas, we prepare for the coming of Jesus, the Christ child, which we celebrate on Christmas Day. At COTA, we often extend the season to include the six Sundays before Christmas. 

While the world around us begins Christmas festivities, in the Church we use this time to recognize our longing for the hope that Jesus brings and practice "keeping vigil" or remaining faithful as we wait to mark the birth of Christ in the world. In the Christian tradition, we call this the Incarnation—God appearing in human form through the person of Jesus. Don't worry—the time for Christmas will soon come! Christmas is actually more than just one day. In the Church, we celebrate Christmas for twelve full days, just like the famous Christmas song!

LITURGICAL COLOR

During Advent, some churches use the color purple to represent royalty, while others use the color blue to represent hope and expectation and distinguish the season of Advent from the season of Lent.

THEMES

Advent is all about waiting and expectation as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day. Each Sunday during Advent has a different theme: peace, hope, joy, and love. Other significant days in the Church calendar connected to festive traditions that you might choose to celebrate as a family include St. Nicholas Day on December 6 and St. Lucia Day on December 13. Many families also mark the winter solstice on December 21, which is the shortest day of the year. Some people call this "Blue Christmas" and consider it an invitation to welcome grief as part of our holiday traditions. 

PRACTICES  

Many families have an Advent wreath with four candles that they light during the four Sundays of Advent. Some Advent wreaths have an additional candle in the center, called the Christ candle, that is lit on Christmas Day. Other families have Advent calendars that they use to count down the days until Christmas. As we prepare for Christmas Day, Advent teaches us to wait patiently and also cultivates in us the spirit of giving. Consider ways you might practice waiting during the season of Advent, such as saving a favorite holiday tradition until Christmas Day. To cultivate the spirit of giving, set aside time to make homemade gifts for family and friends or fulfill a Christmas wishlist for a child in need.

Questions or comments? Contact Lacy Clark Ellman, our Kids and Families Ministry Coordinator, at kids@apostleschurch.org.