Advent

This year, the first day of Advent was on Sunday the 27th of November.

Advent is a time of change. The first distinguishable change in the Church was the change of colours. The altar went from the green - of Ordinary time to purple - the colour that shows royalty; the colour for Advent. The word ‘advent’ originated from the Latin word ‘adventus’, that meant ‘to come’, so in the Church’s Calendar, Advent represents the coming or the arrival of Jesus’ birth on Earth.

  Advent lasts for 4 weeks. Every Sunday, a candle on the Advent wreath is lit (purple, purple, purple & pink). The candles each have a meaning - the first symbols Hope, the 2nd  represents Preparation, the 3rd symbolises Love and the 4th represent Joy. The final candle, which most people ignite, is the white candle; the candle lit at the time of Christmas. It is the ‘Christ Candle’.