Season of Advent
Posted on November 17, 2008 in Festivals by Nina Ghosh Konar
Season of Advent:
Before Christmas, the four-week period consisting of four Sundays is known as the advent. This year, advent starts on November 29th and ends on December 24th.
What does Advent Mean?
Advent means the arrival or coming of Jesus Christ. In Latin, “ad” refers to “towards”, whereas “ven or vent” refers to “come”. According to German tradition, advent denotes the 24 days preceding the day of Christmas.
During advent, Christians all over the world prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. In a way, advent is the spirit of expectation or longing for salvation from the evils of the world.
Origin of Advent:
It is suggested that the practice of Advent was initially observed in mid-fifth century in Ravenna (Italy). By mid-sixth century, rather than focussing on the second coming of Jesus, advent was celebrated to rejoice the reincarnation of Christ. Initially, advent was practised for a period of 6 Sundays. Later on, this was reduced to 4 Sundays and was included as one of the important festivals in the Christian calendar.
Who Celebrates Advent?
Advent was mainly celebrated in the United States by the Protestant Germans and German-speaking individuals of European countries. Today, Christians all over the world celebrate Advent.
Colors of Advent:The traditional color of advent candle is purple. Purple is the color of fasting, repentance as well as the color to welcome the birth of Jesus. By the third Sunday, as the focus on penance gradually shifts towards rejoice and hope, pink advent candles gradually replace purple ones. However, protestant churches now use blue color candles to symbolize the night sky or the beginning of a new creation.
How is Advent Celebrated?
Most people spend the four weeks of advent preparing for the Christmas. They prepare or buy gifts to be distributed during Christmas, prepare special cookies etc.
In various churches as well as in homes, decoration is done by hanging from ceilings evergreen advent wreaths. The wreaths symbolize the beginning of everlasting life brought through Jesus. In homes, people decorate their dining table with an advent wreath and advent candle. They read from scriptures before lighting the candle. During the period of advent weeks, a new candle is lighted on each Sunday, and the same candle is repeated each meal during the week.
Advent is marked by prayers of humble devotion by those who are waiting in darkness to come out in the light. So, let’s celebrate Advent with the right spirit and commitment.
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