View source for Advent

{{short description|Christian church season preceding Christmas}}
{{about|the Western Christian practice|Eastern Christian practice|Nativity Fast|other uses}}
{{EngvarB|date=December 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox holiday
| holiday_name = Advent
| image      = Advent2007candlelight.JPG
| caption    = Lighting the candles of an [[Advent wreath]] in a church service
| nickname   =
| observedby = [[Christians]]
| observances = [[Church service]]s, completing an [[Advent calendar]] and [[Advent wreath]],<ref name=KennedyHatch2013/> praying through a [[daily devotional]],<ref name=KennedyHatch2013/> erecting a [[Chrismon tree]],<ref name=KennedyHatch2013/> [[hanging of the greens]],<ref name=KennedyHatch2013/> lighting a [[Christingle]],<ref name=GeddesGriffiths2001/> gift giving, family and other social gatherings
| type       = Christian
| longtype   = Christian, cultural
| significance = Preparation for the [[Second Coming]] and commemoration of the [[nativity of Jesus|birth of Jesus]]
| relatedto  = [[Christmastide]], [[Christmas Eve]], [[Annunciation]], [[Epiphany (holiday)|Epiphany]], [[Epiphanytide]], [[Baptism of the Lord]], [[Nativity Fast]], [[Nativity of Jesus]]
| duration = 22–28 days
| frequency=Annual
| begins=Fourth (or, in the [[Ambrosian Rite|Ambrosian]] and [[Mozarabic Rite]]s, sixth) Sunday before Christmas
| date{{LASTYEAR}}         = {{ubl|{{Weekday after date|{{LASTYEAR}}|November|26|Sunday|j F}}|{{Weekday after date|{{LASTYEAR}}|November|12|Sunday|j F}} ([[Ambrosian Rite|Ambrosian]] and [[Mozarabic Rite]]s)}}
| date{{CURRENTYEAR}}      = {{ubl|{{Weekday after date|{{CURRENTYEAR}}|November|26|Sunday|j F}}|{{Weekday after date|{{CURRENTYEAR}}|November|12|Sunday|j F}} ([[Ambrosian Rite|Ambrosian]] and [[Mozarabic Rite]]s)}}
| date{{NEXTYEAR}}         = {{ubl|{{Weekday after date|{{NEXTYEAR}}|November|26|Sunday|j F}}|{{Weekday after date|{{NEXTYEAR}}|November|12|Sunday|j F}} ([[Ambrosian Rite|Ambrosian]] and [[Mozarabic Rite]]s)}}
| date{{NEXTYEAR|2}} = {{ubl|{{Weekday after date|{{NEXTYEAR|2}}|November|26|Sunday|j F}}|{{Weekday after date|{{NEXTYEAR|2}}|November|12|Sunday|j F}} ([[Ambrosian Rite|Ambrosian]] and [[Mozarabic Rite]]s)}}
| scheduling=Christmas day of week-based
}}

'''Advent''' is a season observed in most [[Christian denomination]]s as a time of waiting and preparation for both the celebration of [[Nativity of Christ|Jesus's birth]] at [[Christmas]] and the return of [[Jesus in Christianity|Christ]] at the [[Second Coming]]. It begins on the [[Advent Sunday|fourth Sunday]] before Christmas, often referred to as Advent Sunday. Advent is the beginning of the [[liturgical year]] in [[Western Christianity]]. The name comes from Latin {{lang|la|adventus}} ('coming; arrival'), translating the [[Ancient Greek|Greek]] {{transliteration|grc|[[parousia]]}} from the [[New Testament]], originally referring to the [[Second Coming]].

The season of Advent in the Christian calendar anticipates the "coming of Christ" from three different perspectives: the physical nativity in [[Bethlehem]], the reception of Christ in the heart of the believer, and the [[Christian eschatology|eschatological]] Second Coming.{{efn|"since the time of [[Bernard of Clairvaux]] (d.&nbsp;1153), Christians have spoken of the three comings of Christ: In the flesh in [[Bethlehem]], in our hearts daily, and in glory at the end of time".<ref name=Pfatteicher2013>{{cite book |first=Philip H. |last=Pfatteicher |year= 2013 |title=Journey into the Heart of God: Living the liturgical year |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-1999-9714-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hfVdAAAAQBAJ |via=Google Books}}</ref>
}}

Practices associated with Advent include [[Advent calendar]]s, lighting an [[Advent wreath]],{{efn|The use of a five-candle Advent wreath involves lighting an additional candle every Sunday and lighting the center Christ Candle on Christmas.<ref name="CRI">{{cite book|url = http://www.crivoice.org/cyadvent.html|title=The Season of Advent: Anticipation and Hope|author=Dennis Bratcher|quote=Finally, the light that has come into the world is plainly visible as the Christ candle is lighted at Christmas, and worshippers rejoice over the fact that the hope and promise of long ago have been realized.|publisher=[[Christian Research Institute]]|access-date=2 December 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110102182005/http://www.crivoice.org/cyadvent.html| archive-date=2 January 2011| url-status= live}}</ref><ref name=Michelin2012>{{cite book |title=Germany Green Guide Michelin 2012–2013 |year=2012 |publisher=Michelin |isbn=978-2-0671-8211-0 |page=73}}</ref>}} praying an Advent [[daily devotional]],<ref name=KennedyHatch2013/> erecting a [[Chrismon tree]],<ref name=KennedyHatch2013/> lighting a [[Christingle]],<ref name=GeddesGriffiths2001>{{cite book |last1=Geddes |first1=Gordon |last2=Griffiths |first2=Jane |year=2001 |title=Christianity |publisher=Heinemann |isbn=978-0-435-30695-3 |page=99 |quote=Many churches hold Christingle services during Advent. Children are given a Christingle.adaa}}</ref> as well as other ways of preparing for Christmas, such as setting up [[Christmas decoration]]s,<ref name="Normark1997">{{cite book|title=Modern Christmas|last=Normark|first=Helena|year=1997|publisher=Graphic Garden|quote=Christmas in Sweden starts with Advent, which is the await for the arrival of Jesus. The symbol for it is the Advent candlestick with four candles in it, and we light one more candle for each of the four Sundays before Christmas. Most people start putting up the Christmas decorations on the first of Advent.}}</ref> a custom that is sometimes done liturgically through a [[hanging of the greens]] ceremony.<ref name=KennedyHatch2013>{{cite book |last1=Kennedy |first1=Rodney Wallace |last2=Hatch |first2=Derek C. |year= 2013 |title=Baptists at Work in Worship |publisher=[[Wipf and Stock Publishers]] |isbn=978-1-62189-843-6 |page=147|quote=There are a variety or worship practices that enable a congregation to celebrate Advent: lighting an advent wreath, a hanging of the greens service, a Chrismon tree, and an Advent devotional booklet.}}</ref><ref name=RiceHuffstutler2001>{{cite book |last1=Rice |first1=Howard L. |last2=Huffstutler |first2=James C. |year=2001 |title=Reformed Worship |publisher=Westminster John Knox Press |isbn=978-0-664-50147-1 |page=197 <!-- |access-date=5 December 2015 --> |quote=Another popular activity is the 'Hanging of the Greens,' a service in which the sanctuary is decorated for Christmas.}}</ref>

The analogue of Advent in [[Eastern Christianity]] is called the [[Nativity Fast]], but it differs in meaning, length, and observances, and does not begin the liturgical church year as it does in the West. The Eastern Nativity Fast does not use the term {{transliteration|grc|parousia}} in its preparatory services.<ref>{{cite web |first=Kevin Basil |last=Fritts |date=14 November 2012 |title=Four reasons it's not 'Advent' |type=blog |url = http://kevinbasil.com/2012/11/14/four-reasons-its-not-advent/ |access-date = 29 September 2014}}</ref>

== Dates ==

In the [[Anglican]], [[Lutheran church|Lutheran]], [[Moravian Church|Moravian]], [[Presbyterian]], and [[Methodism|Methodist]] calendars, Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas (the Sunday that falls on or closest to 30&nbsp;November, always between 27&nbsp;November and 3&nbsp;December; it is the Sunday between the last Thursday of November and the first Thursday of December), and ends by [[Christmas Eve]] on 24&nbsp;December.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Advent and Christmas |website=The Church of England (churchofengland.org) |lang=en |url=https://www.churchofengland.org/our-faith/what-we-believe/advent-and-christmas |access-date=12 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Advent |department=Festivals – GCSE Religious Studies Revision |series=Bitesize guides |website=bbc.co.uk |publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]] |lang=en-GB |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zkc86sg/revision/1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207120853/https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zkc86sg/revision/1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 December 2020 |access-date=12 January 2021}}</ref> In the [[Roman Rite]] of the [[Catholic Church]], Advent begins with the [[Vespers|First Vespers]] of the First Sunday of Advent and ends with the [[Deus, in adiutorium meum intende|Deus, in adiutorium]] of the First Vespers of Christmas.<ref>{{cite web |title=Liturgical notes for Advent |website=USCCB.org |publisher=[[United States Conference of Catholic Bishops]] |url=https://www.usccb.org/prayer-worship/liturgical-year/advent }}</ref> The first day of Advent also begins a new [[liturgical year]].

In the [[Ambrosian Rite]] and the [[Mozarabic Rite]] of the Catholic Church, Advent begins on the sixth Sunday before Christmas (the Sunday that falls on or closest to 16&nbsp;November, always between 13&nbsp;November and 19&nbsp;November; it is the Sunday before the third Tuesday of November).

== Significance ==
For Western Christians of the Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican traditions, Advent signifies preparation for a threefold coming of Christ: firstly in the [[Incarnation (Christianity)|Incarnation at Bethlehem]], then in a perpetual [[Real presence of Christ in the Eucharist|sacramental presence in the Eucharist]], and thirdly at his [[Second Coming]] and [[Last Judgment|final judgement]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Threefold Advent of Our Lord Jesus Christ |url=https://in.lcms.org/the-threefold-advent-of-our-lord-jesus-christ/ |publisher=Indiana District LCMS |access-date=14 November 2024 |quote=Two of the hymns of Advent call special attention to this threefold coming of Christ. “Once He Came in Blessing” (LSB 333) confesses that He once came “in likeness lowly” to bear the Cross and save us (st. 1), that He now comes to feed us with “precious Food from heaven” (st. 2), and that He will come “in splendor” to render judgment and bring the faithful into “joy beyond comparing” (st. 3).}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The three Advents of Christ |website=Catholic Answers (catholic.com) |url=https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/the-three-advents-of-christ |access-date=30 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Advent |url=https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources/common-worship/churchs-year/times-and-seasons/advent |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=The Church of England |language=en}}</ref> Furthermore, Advent is a time to focus on his present coming to mankind in the Word and Sacraments.<ref name=Karkan2016>{{cite web |last=Karkan |first=Betsy |date=2 December 2016 |title=Lutheran Advent traditions |website=lcms.org |publisher=[[Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod]] |url=https://resources.lcms.org/history/lutheran-advent-traditions/ |access-date=31 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Advent |url=https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources/common-worship/churchs-year/times-and-seasons/advent |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=The Church of England |language=en}}</ref>

== History ==
It is not known when the period of preparation for Christmas that is now called Advent began, though it was certainly in existence from about 480; the novelty introduced by the [[Council of Tours of 567]] was to order monks to fast every day in the month of December until Christmas.<ref>{{cite web |first1=Prosper|last1=Guéranger |first2=Lucien |last2=Fromage |first3=James Laurence |last3=Shepherd |date=13 October 1867 |title=The liturgical year |publisher=J. Duffy |place=Dublin, IE |url=http://archive.org/details/liturgicalyear01gura |via=Internet Archive}}</ref> According to [[J. Neil Alexander]], it is "impossible to claim with confidence a credible explanation of the origin of Advent".<ref>{{cite book |first=J. Neil |last=Alexander |section=Advent |editor-first=Paul F. |editor-last=Bradshaw |year=2013 |title=New SCM Dictionary of Liturgy and Worship |publisher=Hymns Ancient and Modern Ltd. |isbn=978-0-33404932-6 |page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=vRLJKonMfwQC&pg=PA2 2] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vRLJKonMfwQC }}</ref>

[[File:Saintperpetuus.jpg|thumb|upright|A representation of [[Saint Perpetuus]]]]
Associated with Advent as a time of penitence was a period of [[fasting]], known also as [[St. Martin's Day#Eve of St Martin's Lent|St Martin's Lent]] or the [[Nativity Fast]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Bingham |first=Joseph |year=1726 |title=The Antiquities of the Christian Church |publisher=Robert Knaplock |page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=bmpZAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA357 357] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bmpZAAAAYAAJ |access-date=20 December 2014}}</ref> According to Saint [[Gregory of Tours]] the celebration of Advent began in the fifth century when the Bishop [[Saint Perpetuus|Perpetuus]] directed that starting with the [[St. Martin's Day]] on 11 November until Christmas, one fasts three times per week; this is why Advent was sometimes also named "Lent of St. Martin". This practice remained limited to the diocese of Tours until the sixth century.<ref>{{cite book |author=St.&nbsp;Gregory, bishop of Tours |author-link=Gregory of Tours |year=1836 |title=Histoire ecclésiastique des Francs, revue et collationnée |lang=fr |trans-title=Ecclesiastical history of the French, reviewed and collated |translator1=Guadet, J. |translator2=Taranne }}</ref>

The [[Council of Macon]] held in 581 adopted the practice in Tours. Soon all France observed three days of fasting a week from the feast of Saint Martin until Christmas. The most devout worshipers in some countries exceeded the requirements adopted by the council, and fasted every day of Advent.

The first clear references in the Western Church to Advent occur in the [[Gelasian Sacramentary]], which provides Advent Collects, Epistles, and Gospels for the five Sundays preceding Christmas and for the corresponding Wednesdays and Fridays.<ref>{{cite book |editor-first=F.L. |editor-last=Cross |year=1974 |title=The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church |edition=2nd |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=19}}</ref> The homilies of [[Gregory the Great]] in the late sixth century showed four weeks to the liturgical season of Advent, but without the observance of a fast.<ref>{{cite web |title=L'Avent prépare Noel – Le développement historique |lang=fr |trans-title=Advent prepares for Christmas – Historical development |department=Liturgie |website=infocatho.cef.fr |url=http://infocatho.cef.fr/fichiers_html/liturgie/aventhistoire.htm |access-date=15 November 2017}}</ref> Under [[Charlemagne]] in the ninth century, writings claim that the fast was still widely observed.

In the 13th century, the fast of Advent was not commonly practised although, according to Durand of Mende, fasting was still generally observed. As quoted in the bull of canonisation of St. Louis, the zeal with which he observed this fast was no longer a custom observed by Christians of great piety. It was then limited to the period from the feast of Saint Andrew until Christmas Day, since the solemnity of this apostle was more universal than that of St. Martin.<ref name=Mershman-Advt-CEnc>{{cite encyclopedia |last=Mershman |first=Francis |title=Advent |encyclopedia=The [[Catholic Encyclopedia]] |publisher=Robert Appleton Company |url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01165a.htm |via=newadvent.org |access-date=3 December 2019}}</ref>

When [[Pope Urban V]] ascended the papal seat in 1362, he imposed abstinence on the papal court but there was no mention of fasting. It was then customary in Rome to observe five weeks of Advent before Christmas. The [[Ambrosian Rite]] has six. The Greeks show no more real consistency: Advent was an optional fast that some begin on 15 November, while others begin on 6 December or only a few days before Christmas.<ref name=Mershman-Advt-CEnc/>

The liturgy of Advent remained unchanged until the [[Second Vatican Council]] introduced minor changes, differentiating the spirit of Lent from that of Advent, emphasising Advent as a season of hope for Christ's coming now as a promise of his Second Coming.<ref>{{cite web |title=Origines et raison de la liturgie catholique |lang=fr |orig-year=1842 |website=La France pittoresque (france-pittoresque.com) |year=2012  |url=http://www.france-pittoresque.com/spip.php?article1924}}</ref>

== Traditions ==
[[File:Katedrála sv. Víta roráty.jpg|thumb|Rorate Mass in [[St. Vitus Cathedral|Prague Cathedral]], Czech Republic]]
{{Liturgical year}}

The theme of readings and teachings during Advent is often the preparation for the [[Second Coming]] and the [[Last Judgement]]. While the Sunday readings relate to the first coming of Jesus Christ as saviour as well as to his Second Coming as judge, traditions vary in the relative importance of penitence and expectation during the weeks in Advent.

=== Liturgical colour ===
[[File:Adventvespers.jpg|thumb|left|Celebration of a Advent [[vespers]]. Cope and antependium are violet, the liturgical colour of Advent in the Roman Rite.]]
{{See also|Liturgical colours}}

Since approximately the 13th century, the usual liturgical colour in [[Western Christianity]] for Advent has been violet; [[Pope Innocent III]] declared black to be the proper colour for Advent, though [[Durandus of Saint-Pourçain]] claims violet has preference over black.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kellner |first=K.A.H. |year=1908 |title=Heortology: A history of the Christian festivals from their origin to the present day |publisher=Kegan Paul Trench Trubner & Co. Ltd. |page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=4gMPAAAAQAAJ&dq=black+vestments+during+advent+history&pg=PA430 430] |via=Google Books}}</ref> The violet or purple colour is often used for [[antependia]], the [[vestments]] of the clergy, and often also the [[church tabernacle|tabernacle]].
On the third Sunday of Advent, [[Gaudete Sunday]], rose may be used instead, referencing the rose used on [[Laetare Sunday]], the fourth Sunday of Lent.<ref name=GIRM>{{cite book |title=Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani |lang=la |trans-title=General Instruction of the Roman Missal |title-link=General Instruction of the Roman Missal |year=1969 |edition=English |publisher=[[Roman Catholic Church]] }}</ref>{{rp|style=ama|p= 346&nbsp;ff}} A rose-coloured candle in Western Christianity is referenced as a sign of joy ({{lang|la|Gaudete}}) lit on the third Sunday of Advent.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Gaudete Sunday |encyclopedia=The [[Catholic Encyclopedia]] |url=http://newadvent.org/cathen/06394b.htm |via=newadvent.org |access-date=10 December 2016}}</ref>

While the traditional colour for Advent is violet, there is a growing interest in and acceptance, by some [[Christian denominations]] of blue as an alternative liturgical colour for Advent, a custom traced to the usage of the [[Church of Sweden]] (Lutheran) and the [[Mozarabic Rite]], which dates from the 8th century.<ref>{{cite web |title=The color blue in Advent |date=May 2007 |website=United Methodist Discipleship Ministries (umcdiscipleship.org) |publisher=[[The United Methodist Church]] |url=https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/the-color-blue-in-advent}}</ref>

The [[Lutheran Book of Worship]] lists blue as the preferred colour for Advent, while the Methodist [[Book of Worship for Church and Home (1965)|Book of Worship]] and the Presbyterian [[The Book of Common Worship of 1993|Book of Common Worship]] identify purple or blue as appropriate for Advent. Proponents of this new liturgical trend argue that purple is traditionally associated with solemnity and somberness, which is fitting to the repentant character of [[Lent]]. There has been an increasing trend in Protestant churches to supplant purple with blue during Advent as it is a hopeful season of preparation that anticipates both Bethlehem and the consummation of history in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.<ref name="CRI/Voice, Institute – The Color Blue in Advent">{{cite web|url=http://www.cresourcei.org/cyadvent.html |title=The Season of Advent – Anticipation and Hope |publisher=CRI/Voice, Institute |access-date=14 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100202013406/http://www.cresourcei.org/cyadvent.html |archive-date=2 February 2010 }}</ref> This colour is often called "Sarum blue", referring to its purported use at Salisbury Cathedral. Many of the ornaments and ceremonial practices associated with the [[Use of Sarum|Sarum rite]] were revived in the Anglican Communion in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as part of the Anglo-Catholic [[Oxford Movement]] in the Church of England. While Anglican liturgist [[Percy Dearmer]] does not object to the use of blue during Advent, he did not attribute its use to Sarum. "[T]he so-called Sarum uses are really one-half made up from the fancy of nineteenth-century ritualists."<ref>{{cite book |last=Dearmer |first=Percy |author-link=Percy Dearmer |year=1899 |section=Chapter&nbsp;III: Colours, vestments, and ornaments |title=The Parson's Handbook |place=London  |publisher=Grant Richards |section-url=http://anglicanhistory.org/dearmer/handbook/1899/chapter03.html |via=anglicanhistory.org}}</ref>

While the Sarum use was influential, different dioceses, including Salisbury, used a variety of coloured vestments.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bates |first1=J. Barrington |year=2003 |title=Am I blue? Some historical evidence for liturgical colors |journal=Studia Liturgica |volume=33 |pages=75–88 |s2cid=193382638 |url=https://doi.org/10.1177/003932070303300106 | doi=10.1177/003932070303300106 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> "In the Sarum Rite the Advent colour was red, but it could very well have been the red-purple known as murray&nbsp;..."<ref>{{cite web |title=Times and seasons |department=Liturgy & music |publisher=Saint Ignatius of Antioch Episcopal Church |place=New York |url=https://www.saintignatiusnyc.org/Pages/Liturgy&Music/Times&Seasons.html}}</ref>

The Roman Catholic Church retains the traditional violet.<ref name=GIRM/>{{rp|style=ama|p= 346&nbsp;d.}} Blue is not generally used in Latin Catholicism,<ref name=GIRM/>{{rp|style=ama|pp= 346-347}} and where it does regionally, it has nothing to do with Advent specifically, but with veneration of the [[Blessed Virgin]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Blue liturgical vestments |website=ewtn.com |publisher=Eternal Word Television Network |place=Irondale, AL |url=http://www.ewtn.com/library/liturgy/zlitur315.htm |access-date=21 November 2017}}</ref> However, on some occasions that are heavily associated with Advent, such as the [[Rorate Mass]] (but not on Sundays), white is used.<ref>{{cite web |title=Advent tradition: Rorate mass at Old Saint Mary's |website=Catholic Telegraph (thecatholictelegraph.com) |date=18 December 2017 |url=http://www.thecatholictelegraph.com/advent-tradition-rorate-mass-at-old-saint-marys/47480 |access-date=30 October 2019}}</ref>

During the Nativity Fast, red is used by Eastern Christianity, although gold is an alternative colour.<ref>{{cite web |title=Liturgical vestment colors of the Orthodox Church |website=Aggreen.org |url = http://aggreen.net/vestment/liturgical_colors.html |access-date = 14 December 2009 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091208065929/http://aggreen.net/vestment/liturgical_colors.html |archive-date= 8 December 2009}}</ref>

=== Music ===
{{maincat|Advent music}}
[[File:Malbork (DerHexer) 2010-07-14 290.jpg|thumb|Medieval manuscript of Gregorian chant setting of "[[Rorate Coeli]]"]]
Many churches hold special musical events, such as [[Nine Lessons and Carols]] and singing of [[Messiah (Handel)|Handel's ''Messiah'']] oratorio. The [[Advent Prose]], an [[antiphonal]] [[plainsong]], may be sung. The "Late Advent Weekdays", 17–24 December, mark the singing of the Great Advent '[[O antiphon]]s'.<ref>{{cite web |last = Saunders |first = William |title = What are the 'O Antiphons'? |website=Catholic Education (catholiceducation.org) | url = http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0374.html | access-date = 30 November 2009}}</ref> These are the daily antiphons for the [[Magnificat]] at [[Vespers]], [[Evening Prayer (Anglican)|Evensong]], or [[Evening Prayer (Anglican)|Evening Prayer]], in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran churches, and mark the forthcoming birth of the Messiah. They form the basis for each verse of the popular Advent hymn "[[O come, O come, Emmanuel]]".

German [[Advent song|songs for Advent]] include {{lang|de|"[[Es kommt ein Schiff, geladen]]"}} from the 15th century and {{lang|de|"[[O Heiland, reiß die Himmel auf]]"}}, published in 1622. Johann Sebastian Bach composed several [[List of Bach cantatas by liturgical function#Advent|cantatas for Advent]] in Weimar, from {{lang|de|[[Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 61|Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland]]}}, BWV 61, to {{lang|de|[[Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147a|Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben]]}}, BWV 147a, but only one more in Leipzig where he worked for the longest time, because there Advent was a [[Tempus clausum|silent time]] which allowed [[cantata]] music only on the first of the four Sundays.

During Advent, the [[Gloria in excelsis Deo|Gloria]] of the [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]] is omitted, so that the return of the angels' song at Christmas has an effect of novelty.<ref name=Miles-1912-2017>{{cite book |last=Miles |first=Clement A. |year= 2017 |orig-year=1912 |title=Christmas Customs and Traditions |publisher=Courier Corporation |isbn=978-0-4862-3354-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1XRjAyL8LogC |via=Google Books |access-date=14 January 2019 }}</ref>{{rp|style=ama|p= [https://archive.org/details/christmascustoms0000mile/page/91 91]}}
[[Mass (music)|Mass compositions]] written especially for Lent, such as Michael Haydn's {{lang|la|[[Missa tempore Quadragesimae (Michael Haydn)|Missa tempore Quadragesimae]]}}, in D minor for choir and organ, have no Gloria and so are appropriate for use in Advent.

=== Fasting ===

Bishop [[Saint Perpetuus|Perpetuus]] of Tours, who died in 490, ordered fasting three days a week from the day after Saint Martin's Day (11 November). In the 6th century, local [[synod#Councils|councils]] enjoined fasting on all days except Saturdays and Sundays from Saint Martin's Day to Epiphany (the feast of baptism), a period of 56 days, but of 40 days fasting, like the fast of Lent. It was therefore called {{lang|de|Quadragesima Sancti Martini}} (Saint Martin's Lent).<ref name=Pfatteicher2013/>{{rp|style=ama|p= [https://books.google.com/books?id=hfVdAAAAQBAJ&pg=PP42 42]}} This period of fasting was later shortened and called "Advent" by the Church.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title = Saint Martin's Lent |encyclopedia= Encyclopædia Britannica  |url = https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/517764/Saint-Martins-Lent |access-date= 4 December 2013 }}</ref>

In the Anglican and Lutheran churches this fasting rule was later relaxed. The Roman Catholic Church later abolished the precept of fasting during Advent (at an unknown date at the latest in [[1917 Code of Canon Law|1917]]), later, but kept Advent as a season of [[penance|penitence]]. In addition to fasting, dancing and similar festivities were forbidden in these traditions. On [[Gaudete Sunday]], relaxation of the fast was permitted. Eastern Orthodox and [[Oriental Orthodox]] churches still hold the tradition of fasting for 40 days before Christmas.

=== Local rites ===

In England, especially in the northern counties, there was a custom (now extinct) for poor women to carry around the "Advent images", two dolls dressed to represent Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary. A halfpenny coin was expected from every one to whom these were exhibited and bad luck was thought to menace the household not visited by the doll-bearers before Christmas Eve at the latest.<ref>{{cite book |editor-first = Robert |editor-last = Chambers |year = 1864 |title = The Book of Days: A miscellany of popular antiquities in connection with the calendar |place = Philadelphia |volume = 2 |pages = 724–725 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=VEcJAAAAIAAJ}}</ref>

In [[Normandy]], farmers employed children under twelve to run through the fields and orchards armed with torches, setting fire to bundles of straw, and thus, it was believed, driving out such vermin as were likely to damage the crops.<ref>{{cite book |author-link = William Hone |first = William |last = Hone |year = 1832 |section = 5&nbsp;December: Advent in Normandy |title = The Year Book of Daily Recreation and Information |place = London, UK |publisher = [[Thomas Tegg]] |url = http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Text/Hone/december_5_advent_in_normandy.htm |access-date = 2 May 2010}}</ref>

In Italy, among other Advent celebrations, is the entry into [[Rome]] in the last days of Advent of the Calabrian {{lang|it|pifferari}}, or bagpipe players, who play before the shrines of Mary, the mother of Jesus: in Italian tradition, the shepherds played these pipes when they came to the [[manger]] at [[Bethlehem]] to pay homage to the infant Jesus.<ref name=Miles-1912-2017/>{{rp|style=ama|p= [https://archive.org/details/christmascustoms0000mile/page/112 112]}}

In recent times,{{as of when|date=November 2024}} the most common observance of Advent outside church circles has been the keeping of an Advent calendar or [[Advent candle]], with one door being opened in the calendar, or one section of the candle being burned, on each day in December leading up to Christmas Eve. In many countries, the first day of Advent often heralds the start of the [[Christmas and holiday season|Christmas season]], with many people opting to erect their [[Christmas trees]] and Christmas decorations on or immediately before Advent Sunday.<ref name="Normark1997" />

Since 2011, an Advent [[labyrinth]] consisting of 2,500 [[tealight]]s has been formed for the third Saturday of Advent in [[Bornheim (Frankfurt am Main)|Frankfurt-Bornheim]].<ref name=HK-2500-tealights>{{cite web |title = Terminanmeldung – Meditation und Gestaltung eines Adventslabyrinths |lang=de |trans-title=Appointment – Meditation and design of an Advent labyrinth | year = 2016 | publisher = Heilig Kreuz – Zentrum für christliche Meditation und Spiritualität [Holy Cross – Center for christian meditation and spirituality] | url = https://meditationszentrum.bistumlimburg.de/veranstaltungen.html?anmeldung=9075 | access-date = 23 December 2016 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161223153520/https://meditationszentrum.bistumlimburg.de/veranstaltungen.html?anmeldung=9075 | archive-date = 23 December 2016 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

== Advent wreath ==
{{See also|Advent wreath}}
[[File:Adventwreath.jpg|thumb|An Advent wreath with three blue candles and one rose candle surrounding the central Christ Candle]]
[[File:Kaufbeuren Adventskranz.jpg|thumb|A giant Advent wreath in [[Kaufbeuren]], [[Bavaria]], Germany]]

The keeping of an Advent wreath is a common practice in homes or churches.<ref>{{cite web |title=Préparer une couronne de l'Avent |department=Couronnes de l'Avent |lang=fr |trans-title=How to prepare an Advent Wreath |date=23 October 2017 |url=http://www.teteamodeler.com/dossier/noel/couronne-avent.asp |access-date=29 October 2017}}</ref> The concept of the Advent wreath originated among German Lutherans in the 16th century.<ref name=Colbert1996>{{cite book |last=Colbert |first=Teddy |year=1996 |title=The Living Wreath |publisher=Gibbs Smith |isbn=978-0-87905-700-8 |url=https://archive.org/details/livingwreath0000colb |url-access=registration |quote=It is believed that the European advent wreath began as a Lutheran innovation in the sixteenth century.}}</ref> However, it was not until three centuries later that the modern Advent wreath took shape.{{efn|The first clear association with Advent is generally attributed to German Lutherans in the 16th century. However, another three centuries would pass before the modern Advent wreath took shape. Specifically, a German theologian and educator by the name of Johann Hinrich Wichern (1808–1881) is credited with the idea of lighting an increasing number of candles as Christmas approached.<ref>{{cite book |last=Mosteller |first=Angie |year= 2010 |title=Christmas: Celebrating the Christian history of classic symbols, songs, and stories |publisher=Holiday Classics Publishing |isbn=978-0-9845649-0-3 |page=167}}</ref>}}

The modern Advent wreath, with its candles representing the Sundays of Advent, originated from an 1839 initiative by [[Johann Hinrich Wichern]], a Protestant pastor in Germany and a pioneer in urban mission work among the poor. To deal with the impatience of the children awaiting Christmas, whom he was teaching, Wichern made a ring of wood, with 19 small red tapers and four large white candles. Every morning a small candle was lit, and every Sunday a large candle. Modern practice only retains the large candles.<ref name=Wichern-2008-01-05>{{cite web |title=Johann Hinrich Wichern – der Erfinder des Adventskranzes |lang=de |trans-title=Johann Hinrich Wichern – the inventor of the Advent wreath  |date=5 January 2008 |website=medienwerkstatt-online.de |url=http://www.medienwerkstatt-online.de/lws_wissen/vorlagen/showcard.php?id=4506 |access-date=11 December 2017}}</ref>

The wreath crown is traditionally made of [[fir]] tree branches knotted with a red ribbon and decorated with pine cones, holly, laurel, and sometimes mistletoe. It is also an ancient symbol signifying several things; first of all, the crown symbolises victory, in addition to its round form evoking the sun and its return each year. The number four represents the four Sundays of Advent, and the green twigs are a sign of life and hope.

The fir tree is a symbol of strength and laurel a symbol of victory over sin and suffering. The latter two, with the holly, do not lose their leaves, and thus represent the eternity of God. The flames of candles are the representation of the Christmas light approaching and bringing hope and peace, as well as the symbol of the struggle against darkness. For Christians, this crown is also the symbol of [[Christ the King]], the holly recalling the crown of thorns resting on the head of Christ.

The Advent wreath is adorned with candles, usually three violet or purple and one pink; the pink candle is lit on the Third Sunday of Advent, called "[[Gaudete Sunday]]" after the opening word, {{lang|la|Gaudete}}, meaning 'Rejoice', of the entrance antiphon at [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]]. Some add a fifth candle (white), known as the "Christ candle", in the middle of the wreath, to be lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.<ref name=FJ />

The candles symbolize, in one interpretation, the great stages of salvation before the coming of the Messiah; the first is the symbol of the forgiveness granted to Adam and Eve, the second is the symbol of the faith of [[Abraham]] and of the patriarchs who believe in the gift of the [[Promised Land]], the third is the symbol of the joy of David whose lineage does not stop and also testifies to his covenant with God, and the fourth and last candle is the symbol of the teaching of the prophets who announce a reign of justice and peace. Alternatively, they symbolize the four stages of human history; creation, the Incarnation, the redemption of sins, and the [[Last Judgment]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Božić u Hrvata |lang=hr |trans-title=Christmas in Croatia |website=hic.hr |url=http://www.hic.hr/bozic-hrvata01.htm  |access-date=29 October 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206104658/http://www.hic.hr/bozic-hrvata01.htm |archive-date=6 December 2013 }}</ref>

In Orthodox churches there are sometimes wreaths with six candles, in line with the six-week duration of the Nativity Fast/Advent.

In Sweden, white candles, symbol of festivity and purity, are used in celebrating [[Saint Lucy's Day]], 13 December, which always falls within Advent.

== Four Sundays ==
{| class="wikitable" style="align:left;margin-left:2em;text-align:center;"
|-
|+ {{big|Dates for the four Sundays of Advent}}{{pb}}{{LASTYEAR|4}}–{{NEXTYEAR|4}}
|-
! scope="col"| Year
! scope="col"| [[Advent Sunday|1st]]
! scope="col"| 2nd
! scope="col"| [[Gaudete Sunday|3rd]]
! scope="col"| 4th
|-
! scope="row"| {{LASTYEAR|4}}
| {{Weekday after date|{{LASTYEAR|4}}|November|26|Sunday|j F}}
| {{Weekday after date|{{LASTYEAR|4}}|December|3|Sunday|j F}}
| {{Weekday after date|{{LASTYEAR|4}}|December|10|Sunday|j F}}
| {{Weekday after date|{{LASTYEAR|4}}|December|17|Sunday|j F}}
|-
! scope="row"| {{LASTYEAR|3}}
| {{Weekday after date|{{LASTYEAR|3}}|November|26|Sunday|j F}}
| {{Weekday after date|{{LASTYEAR|3}}|December|3|Sunday|j F}}
| {{Weekday after date|{{LASTYEAR|3}}|December|10|Sunday|j F}}
| {{Weekday after date|{{LASTYEAR|3}}|December|17|Sunday|j F}}
|-
! scope="row"| {{LASTYEAR|2}}
| {{Weekday after date|{{LASTYEAR|2}}|November|26|Sunday|j F}}
| {{Weekday after date|{{LASTYEAR|2}}|December|3|Sunday|j F}}
| {{Weekday after date|{{LASTYEAR|2}}|December|10|Sunday|j F}}
| {{Weekday after date|{{LASTYEAR|2}}|December|17|Sunday|j F}}
|-
! scope="row"| {{LASTYEAR}}
| {{Weekday after date|{{LASTYEAR}}|November|26|Sunday|j F}}
| {{Weekday after date|{{LASTYEAR}}|December|3|Sunday|j F}}
| {{Weekday after date|{{LASTYEAR}}|December|10|Sunday|j F}}
| {{Weekday after date|{{LASTYEAR}}|December|17|Sunday|j F}}
|-
! scope="row" style="background-color:gold" | {{CURRENTYEAR}}
| scope="row" style="background-color:gold" | {{Weekday after date|{{CURRENTYEAR}}|November|26|Sunday|j F}}
| scope="row" style="background-color:gold" | {{Weekday after date|{{CURRENTYEAR}}|December|3|Sunday|j F}}
| scope="row" style="background-color:gold" | {{Weekday after date|{{CURRENTYEAR}}|December|10|Sunday|j F}}
| scope="row" style="background-color:gold" | {{Weekday after date|{{CURRENTYEAR}}|December|17|Sunday|j F}}
|-
! scope="row"| {{NEXTYEAR}}
| {{Weekday after date|{{NEXTYEAR}}|November|26|Sunday|j F}}
| {{Weekday after date|{{NEXTYEAR}}|December|3|Sunday|j F}}
| {{Weekday after date|{{NEXTYEAR}}|December|10|Sunday|j F}}
| {{Weekday after date|{{NEXTYEAR}}|December|17|Sunday|j F}}
|-
! scope="row"| {{NEXTYEAR|2}}
| {{Weekday after date|{{NEXTYEAR|2}}|November|26|Sunday|j F}}
| {{Weekday after date|{{NEXTYEAR|2}}|December|3|Sunday|j F}}
| {{Weekday after date|{{NEXTYEAR|2}}|December|10|Sunday|j F}}
| {{Weekday after date|{{NEXTYEAR|2}}|December|17|Sunday|j F}}
|-
! scope="row"| {{NEXTYEAR|3}}
| {{Weekday after date|{{NEXTYEAR|3}}|November|26|Sunday|j F}}
| {{Weekday after date|{{NEXTYEAR|3}}|December|3|Sunday|j F}}
| {{Weekday after date|{{NEXTYEAR|3}}|December|10|Sunday|j F}}
| {{Weekday after date|{{NEXTYEAR|3}}|December|17|Sunday|j F}}
|-
! scope="row"| {{NEXTYEAR|4}}
| {{Weekday after date|{{NEXTYEAR|4}}|November|26|Sunday|j F}}
| {{Weekday after date|{{NEXTYEAR|4}}|December|3|Sunday|j F}}
| {{Weekday after date|{{NEXTYEAR|4}}|December|10|Sunday|j F}}
| {{Weekday after date|{{NEXTYEAR|4}}|December|17|Sunday|j F}}
|}

=== Roman Catholic Church ===
[[File:Portschach Adventkranz privat 26222013 816.jpg|thumb|Advent candles]]
{{Main|Advent Mass}}

In the [[Roman Rite]] of the [[Catholic Church]], the readings of Mass on the Sundays of Advent have distinct themes:<ref name=FJ>{{cite web |first=Felix |last=Just |date=4 May 2018 |title=Resources for liturgy and prayer for the seasons of Advent and Christmas |department=Lectionary |website=Catholic-resources.org |url=http://catholic-resources.org/Lectionary/Seasons-Advent-Christmas.htm |access-date=14 January 2019}}</ref>

*First Sunday in Advent: On the First Sunday ([[Advent Sunday]]), they look forward to the [[Second Coming]] of Christ.
*Second Sunday in Advent: On the Second Sunday, the Gospel reading recalls the preaching of [[John the Baptist]], who came to "prepare the way of the Lord"; the other readings have associated themes.
*Third Sunday in Advent: On the Third Sunday ("[[Gaudete Sunday]]"), the Gospel reading is again about John the Baptist, the other readings about the joy associated with the coming of the Saviour.
*Fourth Sunday in Advent: On the Fourth Sunday, the Gospel reading is about the events involving Mary and Joseph that led directly to the birth of Jesus, while the other readings are related to these.

=== Anglican, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Methodist traditions ===
[[File:Celtic cross in memorial garden.jpg|thumb|Celtic cross in memorial garden, Bon Air Presbyterian Church, Virginia, with Advent [[wreath]]s decorating the gates]]

A variety of practices derived from the [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman rite]] are observed in various protestant churches which retain similar liturgical practices.<ref name=StPaulsLuth-Advent>{{cite web |title=Advent |website=stpaulskingsville.org |publisher=St. Paul's Lutheran Church |place=Kingsville, MD |url=http://www.stpaulskingsville.org/advent.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317153104/http://www.stpaulskingsville.org/advent.htm |archive-date=17 March 2013 }}</ref><ref name=ELCA-FAQ>{{cite web |series=Growing in faith |title= Advent wreath |type=FAQ |publisher=[[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]] |url=http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Worship/Learning-Center/FAQs/Advent-Wreath.aspx}}</ref>

*Last Sunday before Advent: In the Roman Catholic Church since 1969, and in most [[Anglican church]]es since at least 2000, the Sunday before Advent (the final Sunday of the [[liturgical year]]) is celebrated as the [[Feast of Christ the King]]. This feast is now also widely observed in many Protestant churches, sometimes as the ''Reign of Christ''.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}
*First Sunday in Advent: The readings for the first Sunday in Advent relate to the Old Testament patriarchs who were Christ's ancestors, so some call the first Advent candle that of hope.
*Second Sunday in Advent: The readings for the second Sunday concern Christ's birth in Bethlehem and other prophecies, so the candle may be called the "Bethlehem candle", the "way candle", or the "prophets' candle".
*Third Sunday in Advent: The third Sunday, called {{lang|la|Gaudete}} Sunday after the first word of the introit (Philippians 4:4), is celebrated with rose-coloured vestments similar to Laetare Sunday at the middle point of Lent. The readings relate to [[John the Baptist]], and the rose-coloured candle may be called the "joy candle", "Mary candle", or "shepherds' candle".{{efn|In the [[Episcopal Church in the United States of America|U.S. Episcopal Church]], the [[collect]] "Stir up" (the first words of the collect) may be read during the third Sunday in Advent, although before the 1979 revision of the [[Book of Common Prayer]] it was sometimes read in the first Sunday in Advent. Even earlier, "stir-up Sunday" was once jocularly associated with the stirring of the Christmas [[mincemeat]], begun before Advent, since the phrase "stir up" occurs at the start of the collect for the last Sunday before Advent in the old [[Book of Common Prayer (1662)|1662 ''Book of Common Prayer'']].<ref>{{cite dictionary |dictionary=[[Oxford English Dictionary]] |title={{grey|[no title cited]}} |edition=second |year=1989 |orig-year=1917 (first published in ''New English Dictionary'')}}</ref>}}
*Fourth Sunday in Advent: The readings for the fourth Sunday relate to the annunciation of Christ's birth, for which the {{lang|la|[[Magnificat]]}} or "Song of Mary" may be featured. The candle may be known as the "angel's candle".
*First Sunday after Advent: Where an Advent wreath includes a fifth candle, it is known as the "Christ candle" and is lit during the Christmas Eve service.

=== Other weekly theme variations ===
Other variations of the themes celebrated on each of the four Sundays include:
* The Prophets' Candle, symbolizing hope; the Bethlehem Candle, symbolizing faith; the Shepherds' Candle, symbolizing joy; the Angel's Candle, symbolizing peace<ref name=FJ />
* Hope–Love–Joy–Peace<ref>{{cite book |title=Hope, Love, Joy, Peace: An Advent study guide |year=2019 |publisher=World Vision, Inc. |type=study guide  |url=https://bloqs.s3.amazonaws.com/200-200/2029_HopeLoveJoyPeaceAdventAdultStudyFINAL.pdf |access-date=28 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last =Merritt |first =Carol |date=18 September 2018 |title=I Am Mary: Advent Devotional |publisher=Chalice Press |isbn=9780827231566 |pages=48}}</ref>
* Hope–Peace–Joy–Love<ref>{{cite web |title=Advent Themes |date=December 2011 |type=study guide |website=Our Daily Bread (ODB.org) |url=https://odb.org/2011/12/01/advent-themes/ |access-date=10 December 2017 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* Faithfulness–Hope–Joy–Love<ref name=Hoffman-1993-09>{{cite web |last=Hoffman |first=Jan Luben |date=September 1993 |title=Circle of Light: Four themes for use with the Advent wreath |website=Reformed Worship (reformedworship.org) |url=https://www.reformedworship.org/article/september-1993/circle-light-four-themes-use-advent-wreath |access-date=10 December 2017}}</ref>
* Prophets–Angels–Shepherds–Magi<ref name=Hoffman-1993-09/>
* Faith–Prepare–Joy–Love<ref>{{cite web |last=Tullos |first=Matt |date=1 December 2017 |title=Week&nbsp;1: Faith |series=Advent devotional |website=lifeway.com |url=http://www.lifeway.com/Article/devotions-christmas-advent-week-one-faith |access-date=10 December 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125034256/http://www.lifeway.com/Article/devotions-christmas-advent-week-one-faith |archive-date=25 January 2016}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Christmas market]]
* [[Dormition Fast]]
* [[Ember days]]
* [[Fasting and abstinence in the Roman Catholic Church]]
* [[Four last things]]
* [[Great Lent]]
* [[Mortification of the flesh#Christianity|Mortification of the flesh in Christianity]]
* [[Nativity Fast]]

== Footnotes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Catholic|wstitle=Advent}}

== Further reading ==
* ''[[Book of Common Prayer]]'', 1979 according to the usage of The Episcopal Church

== External links ==
{{Sister project links
 |1= |display=Advent |author= no
 |b=no |commons=Advent |d= Q83012|n=Advent |q=Advent |s=Advent
 |wikt=Advent |v=no }}
* [http://www.lhm.org/advent/ Daily Advent Devotional (LHM)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100202013406/http://www.cresourcei.org/cyadvent.html The Season of Advent (Christian Resource Institute)]
* [http://ssje.org/ssje/practicing-patience/ Advent Sermon Series] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518103806/http://ssje.org/ssje/practicing-patience/ |date=18 May 2017 }} from the Society of Saint John the Evangelist, a monastic community in the Episcopal Church
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051102011207/http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Advent/default.asp American Catholic: Advent to Epiphany] Prayers, calendar and activities
* [http://www.liturgies.net/Advent/advent.htm Liturgical Resources for Advent]
* [http://www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=554 Advent FAQ at the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod web site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510111136/http://www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=554 |date=10 May 2012 }}
* [http://www.followingthestar.org/ Advent Online Devotional site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091223040021/http://www.followingthestar.org/ |date=23 December 2009 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110206103312/http://www.textweek.com/advent.htm Online Resources for the Season of Advent] at The Text This Week
* [http://www.artcyclopedia.com/feature-2004-12.html Artcyclopedia Advent Calendar 2004]

{{Advent|state=expanded}}
{{Christmas}}
{{Liturgical year of the Catholic Church}}
{{Nativity of Jesus}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Advent| ]]
[[Category:480s establishments]]
[[Category:5th-century Christianity]]
[[Category:Christian fasting]]
[[Category:November observances]]
[[Category:December observances]]
[[Category:Nativity of Jesus in worship and liturgy]]