As the days draw shorter and the air turns crisp, Christian churches around the world begin a season marked by quiet anticipation and sacred tradition. The 2025 season of Advent begins November 30 and lasts four weeks, leading up to Christmas Day—a time set apart for reflecting on the coming of Jesus Christ. But what is Advent, truly? Is it merely a countdown, or something more profound within the Christian calendar and human history? Advent is a season of waiting—of hopeful expectation, not only for Christ’s birth long ago in Bethlehem, but for his promised coming again. This period invites followers to reflect on God's promise and prepare their hearts for the celebration of Christmas.
The word “Advent” is rooted in the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival.” Since as early as the sixth century, the Church has recognized these four Sundays of Advent as a dedicated space within the liturgical year. The season of Advent focuses attention both backward, to the birth of Jesus, and forward, to his return as the true King. The themes of hope, peace, joy, and love echo through each week, revealing Old Testament prophecies fulfilled by Jesus Christ. The anticipation mirrored in the waiting of the prophets is part of what makes Advent unique—a time not of rushed celebration, but of deepening trust in God's everlasting love.
Central to Advent celebrations in many Christian churches is the Advent wreath. The circle of the wreath represents God's eternal nature. The wreath is made of evergreen branches, which do not lose their leaves in the winter, showing the everlasting life found in Christ. Placed on a table throughout the four weeks, the wreath holds four candles representing each Sunday of Advent. The tradition of lighting a new candle each Sunday, known as the Advent candle ritual, marks the passing weeks and builds anticipation as the Christmas season approaches.
The traditional color for Advent is purple, both representing the royalty and kingship of Jesus. In the Advent wreath, there are three purple candles and one pink candle. The pink candle is lit on the third Sunday, signaling the joyful shift from anticipation and waiting to expectation as Christmas, the day of Jesus' coming, draws near. In some traditions, there is a large white candle in the center of purple and pink candles, which is lit during a Christmas Eve service.
The candles on the Advent wreath mark the unfolding story of Christ’s coming. Each week’s light grows brighter, reflecting the hope, peace, joy, and love revealed in Christ's coming.
The first candle symbolizes hope, reflecting the prophets’ anticipation of the Messiah and God’s enduring promise to His people.
The second candle represents peace, recalling the humble birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem and the peace He brings to the world.
The third candle, traditionally pink, symbolizes joy. This Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, marks a shift from quiet anticipation to joyful expectation as Christ’s coming draws near (Rife, p. 18).
The fourth candle represents love, echoing the angels’ message of God’s deep love displayed through the gift of His Son.
A central white candle represents Christ, the Light who enters the world and fulfills the promise celebrated throughout the Advent season.
Set an Advent wreath in your living space. Each Sunday, gather to light the appropriate candle, read the scripture passage and offer a prayer together. This simple practice transforms the four Sundays into stepping stones toward a deeper understanding of Christ’s coming.
An Advent calendar is another cherished tradition, marking each day with a scripture reading, a small kindness, or even a sweet treat. This helps build joyful expectation, especially for children, and roots the countdown to Christmas in the story of Jesus’ birth rather than commercial activity. The Advent season is also a time to reach outward; acts of service such as donating to local food pantries, visiting a lonely neighbor, or volunteering can embody the love and hope that Advent invites.
Set aside a moment each day during these four weeks for quiet reflection, letting the Holy Spirit guide you. Consider how God’s love, shown through the birth of Jesus, might inspire new habits of mercy and justice in your own life.
Step into the first week of Advent and reflect on the hope that sustained God’s people through silence, waiting, and anticipation. Discover how that same hope continues to anchor our lives today.
