Advent is the four-week season leading up to Christmas Day, beginning on the fourth Sunday before December 25th, during which the church intentionally slows down to remember both Christ’s first coming as a baby in Bethlehem and to anticipate His promised second coming. Traditionally marked by four candles — representing hope, peace, joy, and love — Advent exists to counter the rush of the secular holiday season with deliberate, unhurried waiting.
By the time December arrives, much of the world has already been in full “Christmas mode” for weeks — decorations up, shopping lists finalized, songs on repeat since November. Advent offers something different: a season built not around arrival, but around waiting.
What “Advent” Actually Means
The word “Advent” comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival.” The season spans the four Sundays before Christmas Day, and traditionally serves a double purpose: looking backward to remember and anticipate the birth of Christ as if for the first time, and looking forward to His promised return, when Scripture says He will come again to make all things new (Matthew 24:30, Revelation 21:1-5). Advent holds both of these “comings” together — the Christ who already came, and the Christ who is still coming.
Why the Church Practices Waiting on Purpose
Waiting is not a skill our culture rewards. Nearly everything about modern life — instant messaging, next-day delivery, streaming on demand — trains us to expect immediacy. Advent runs in the opposite direction, insisting that some of the most important things in life can only be received through patient waiting. Israel itself waited centuries for the promised Messiah, sustained by prophetic hope long before it was fulfilled (Isaiah 9:2, 6-7). Advent invites believers to inhabit that same posture of expectant waiting each year, rather than skipping straight to the celebration.
The Four Candles
Many congregations mark the four Sundays of Advent by lighting one additional candle each week, often on an Advent wreath. While traditions vary slightly between denominations, the four themes most commonly observed are:
- Hope — rooted in God’s promises and His faithfulness to keep them, however long the wait (Romans 15:13).
- Peace — the peace promised through the coming Messiah, described by Isaiah as the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
- Joy — the joy announced by the angels to the shepherds: “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10).
- Love — the love demonstrated in God sending His own Son: “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world” (1 John 4:9).
A fifth, often white, candle is frequently lit on Christmas Day itself, representing Christ — the light the previous four weeks have been anticipating (John 8:12).
Simple Ways to Prepare This Season
Advent doesn’t require elaborate traditions to be meaningful. A family or individual can prepare simply: reading one of the classic Advent Scripture passages each week (Isaiah’s prophecies, Luke’s nativity account, John’s prologue), setting aside a few quiet minutes daily rather than only during the frantic final days before Christmas, or intentionally choosing one act of generosity each week that echoes the four themes above — an encouraging word for hope, a reconciled relationship for peace, shared celebration for joy, a gift or service for love. The goal isn’t elaborate observance; it’s unhurried attention, in a season that tempts everyone toward the opposite.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Advent mean?
Advent comes from the Latin word for “coming” or “arrival.” It is the four-week season before Christmas during which the church remembers Christ’s first coming as a baby and anticipates His promised second coming.
When does Advent start?
Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day and continues through Christmas Eve, spanning four Sundays in total.
What do the four Advent candles represent?
Most commonly hope, peace, joy, and love — each lit on a successive Sunday — with a fifth candle, often representing Christ Himself, lit on Christmas Day.
Final Thoughts
In a season the world spends rushing toward, the church is invited to something slower and, in its own way, more countercultural: waiting on purpose, hoping on purpose, and letting anticipation itself become part of the worship. However you mark it this year, Advent’s core invitation remains simple — don’t rush past the waiting to get to the celebration. The waiting is part of the gift.
Join Us This Advent Season
Every parish holds special services throughout Advent and Christmas — reach out for times near you.
Scripture references are drawn from Isaiah, Luke, John, Romans, and 1 John. Compiled by the Editorial Desk.