Advent

Overview

Advent is a liturgical season covering the four Sundays before Christmas, It also marks the beginning of a new liturgical year.

It is a time of prayerful and joyful expectation preparing for Christmas and also anticipating Christ's second coming at the end of time.

The liturgical colour for Advent is violet. In some communities, mauve or jacaranda blue is used to distinguish this season as being more joyful in comparison to Lent.

Some rituals and activities associated with Advent are:

• lighting candles on an Advent wreath
• making a Jesse Tree
• decorating an Advent Calendar.

Advent prayer while lighting a candle

God of hope,

As light comes to us from this Advent candle,

May the blessing of your son, Jesus, be with us;

Warming our hearts and brightening our way.

During this Advent season, may this candle is a beacon of hope,

as we prepare for the coming light of Christ,

who brings forgiveness and healing to our world,

Amen.