Advent, what is this Christian period before Christmas?

• What does Advent mean?
• What is the Advent period for Catholics?
• What is the significance of Advent in the Bible?
• What are the start and end dates of the Advent period?
• Who is the key figure in Advent?
• How do we pray during Advent?
• What is an Advent calendar?
• Where does the Advent calendar come from?
• How long have Advent calendars existed?
• How many days are there in an Advent calendar?
• When do you start an Advent calendar?
• What are the different types of Advent calendars?
• What is the Advent wreath?
• Where does the origin of the Advent wreath come from?
• What is the Advent wreath made of?
• How long has the Advent wreath existed?

Every year, Christmas Day is preceded by a period called Advent. Advent is associated with different traditions, and for younger people Advent often reminds them of the calendars that are opened every day while waiting for the 25th of December.

What does Advent mean?

Advent is a term related to the Christmas period, in fact it corresponds to the period before Christmas, in Latin, Advent means arrival or coming, which has a direct link with the birth of the little Jesus.

What is the Advent period for Catholics?

Advent is an important time for Catholics, it is a liturgical time.

What is the significance of Advent in the Bible?

Advent is the period before Christmas, in the Bible and in the Catholic religion, the Advent period has an important place, it allows us to prepare ourselves to welcome Jesus at his birth on December 25th.

What are the start and end dates of the Advent period? 

The Advent period begins 4 Sundays before Christmas, this year on Sunday 27 November until 24 December.

Who is the key figure in Advent? 

The key figure in Advent is St John the Baptist, the saint who calls the people to convert and welcome Jesus. Advent is the period during which every Catholic prepares to welcome God's Messiah.

How to pray during Advent?

Throughout the Advent season, Catholics are called to pray and prepare for the arrival of Jesus each day. The Catholic Church offers a number of prayers to be performed each year in order to meditate and pray to God.

What is an Advent calendar?

An Advent calendar is an item containing several boxes or windows in which small surprises are hidden to be discovered every day during the month of December, while waiting for Christmas.

Where does the Advent calendar come from?

The Advent calendar originated in Germany in the 19th century. At that time, it is said that some Protestant families had the custom of putting religious pictures on the wall every day from the first Sunday of Advent until Christmas to wait for Christmas.

How long have Advent calendars existed?

The first Advent calendar as we know it today was created at the beginning of the 20th century, by the imagination of a father who wanted to keep his children waiting until Christmas. He built a calendar with small windows containing a picture or object for each day.

As for the chocolates that are often found today, they first appeared in 1958 in Advent calendars.

How many days are there in an advent calendar?

An Advent calendar is made up of 24 boxes equal to the 24 days before Christmas, from December 1st to 24th inclusive. These 24 boxes are used to count down the remaining days until December 25th, the day of Jesus' birth and the day on which gifts are given.

When does an Advent calendar start?

The Advent calendar starts on 1 December and ends on 24 December.

What are the different types of Advent calendars?

For many years, various Advent calendars have been on sale in shops. There are Advent calendars with drawings and prayers, others with chocolates or biscuits, and there are dozens of different types of Advent calendars. There are also calendars with beauty products, drinks, etc.

What is the Advent wreath? 

The Advent wreath is a decorative element, just like the Christmas cot, which is part of a tradition and which many Christians put up during the Advent period. The wreath refers to several things: 

a symbol of glory referring to the Messiah-King that is Jesus

-a symbol of renewal with the green branches of which it is composed, referring to the birth of Jesus

-a symbol of hope and preparation for Christmas Day with the four candles it contains, calling for vigilance and reflection

Where does the origin of the Advent wreath come from? 

The origin of the Advent wreath goes back centuries to the time of the Romans, who feared that the sun would disappear in winter. Wheels of various types of foliage were made as a symbol of the winter solstice and of renewal. It was not until the 16th century that the Advent wreath appeared, inspired by the St. Lucia wreath (celebrated on 13 December and marking the day on which the sun sets later).

What is the Advent wreath made of?

The Advent wreath is usually made up of green twigs, pine branches, a red ribbon, pine cones and other decorations, and above all four candles. These four candles refer to the four Sundays before Christmas: the first to watch for the arrival of the Lord, the second to prepare the way for the Lord, the third to rejoice in the arrival of the Lord and the fourth to announce the birth of Christ.

How long has the Advent wreath existed?

The Advent wreath is thought to have existed since the 16th century, when the first Advent wreath as we know it today appeared, replacing the wheel traditionally initiated by the Romans.

Advent Prayer

Lord God, during this Advent season we prepare to celebrate the coming of your Son to earth.

Help us to open our hearts to receive the light of hope, joy and love that you bring.

Help us to look to you for peace and reconciliation, so that we may live in expectation of your glorious return.

We pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.


Amen