The word Advent means “coming” or “arrival.”  Historians cannot determine, with any certainty, when the celebration of Advent was first introduced into the Christian church. Certainly, it would not have existed prior to the recognition of the feast of the Nativity (birth) of Jesus, which began in Antioch during the middle of the second century.  In the fourth century, the Roman emperor Constantine embraced Christianity, making Christmas celebrations official and legal.

The church Council of Tours of 567 acted to establish the date of Advent as a time of fasting and preparation for the twelve-day sacred season from Christmas to the Epiphany.  Thus, the season which has probably been observed since the fourth century became part of the Christian calendar and custom.

Traditionally, Advent begins four Sundays prior to Christmas, which means the start can vary from November 27 to December 3. 

The theme of preparation has remained consistent throughout the centuries, however, the purpose of preparation has changed over time.  In the earliest ages, new Christians planned baptism to coincide with Christmas and Advent provided a time for them to prepare with instruction, fasting and prayer.  During the Middle Ages, Advent took on the meaning of preparing for the Second Coming of Christ, a theological teaching that has remained to this time, but is not emphasized during this part of the year.

A three-six week fast, accompanied by devotions and church attendance, before the feast of Christmas became a regular practice throughout Europe until Pope Gregory I set the current four-week period as the beginning of the Church-year’s calendar, and wrote the liturgical materials still used in many Catholic churches.  The color purple became associated with the Advent, with the third Sunday (Gaudete Sunday) allowing rose or pink for the joy of the expectation of the birth of Christ.  Twentieth-century Protestants substituted blue for the rose color.

The beginning of Advent celebrates the custom of the hanging of the green, or decorating the church with evergreen wreaths, boughs, or trees to symbolize the new and everlasting life brought by Jesus Christ.

The Advent wreath is a popular symbol in many churches and homes. A circular evergreen wreath (real or artificial) with four around the wreath and one optional candle in the center. The circle of the wreath reminds believers of God, his eternity without beginning or end. The greens of the wreath represent hope newness, renewal, and eternal life present in the birth and life of Jesus.

Candles symbolize the light of God coming into the world through the birth of Jesus. The colors of the candles vary with different traditions, but usually there are three purple candles, and one pink or rose candle. On the first Sunday, a purple candles is lighted. On subsequent Sundays, the previous candle is re-lighted and an additional one also lighted. The pink candle waits until the third Sunday. If there is a fifth candle in the center of the wreath, it will be white, and lighted on Christmas Day to represent the birth of the baby Jesus.

Advent, the period of waiting and commemorating the coming of Christ is rich in history, tradition, symbolism and yet, remains an important time in the lives of many families today.