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Reverend Karrie Oertli,
M.Div
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The Christian Observance of Advent
by The Rev Karrie Oertli, M.Div
Director, Department of Pastoral Care
Administrative Director, James L. Hall Center for Mind, Body, Spirit Board Certified Chaplain, The Association of Professional Chaplains ACPE Supervisor, The Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc
Soon, some of our our Christian colleagues, patients, and families will begin observing four Sundays of Advent.
The Christian observance of Advent is a time of meditation and contemplation preceding the celebration of Christmas, the date on which the Christian Church observes the birth of Jesus Christ. The season of Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas. In 200 8, among non-Orthodox Christian faith practices, Advent begins on Sunday, November 30; in the Orthodox churches, the 40 days leading to the celebration of Christmas, known as "The Christmas Fast," begins on Thursday, November 15 (in the new calendar) or begins on Friday, November 28 (in the old calendar).
"Advent" is a Latin word meaning "the coming." During the season of Advent, Christians prepare for the celebration of the coming of the Christ into the world through the birth of Jesus. Christians see Advent as a time to celebrate light in the midst of darkness. The actual season of Advent came into being toward the middle of the sixth century. Prior to that time, it was largely a celebration outside Christianity, as folks awaited the coming of a god or an emperor—the "anniversary" or "adventus" of that person's visit. Sixth-century Christians used this word to mark the "advent" of Christ. At first, the season of Advent was determined as the six Sundays leading up to Christmas. This was later reduced to four. Though most Christians who celebrate Advent do so as a way to prepare for Christmas, others celebrate Advent as a way to look forward to the second coming of Christ.
Advent celebrations take place both in churches and in homes. The Advent Wreath is a widely recognized symbol of Advent. Traditionally, the wreath has been made of a circle of evergreen branches laid flat to symbolize the endless nature of God's love. However, many now use different kinds of candleholders for this purpose. Four candles are used in the wreath. Traditionally, three of the candles are purple and the fourth candle is pink. Some folks use blue candles to emphasize the Christian hope in God's promise fulfilled in the birth of Christ, who to Christians is the Messiah. Usually after a daily scripture reading or a meditation, a person lights one purple candle during the first week of Advent, two purple candles during the second week, three purple candles during the third week, and finally, all the candles during the fourth week, with the pink one lit last. The candles are meant to remind those who observe Advent of the light of God coming into the world. The Advent wreath is usually removed by Christmas Day.
Not all Christians observe this season. Some Christians focus more on the Christmas event instead.
There is no traditional greeting for Advent.
For more information about this observance or other faith traditions, please contact a chaplain.
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