Page "Liturgical year" Paragraph 33

From the Latin adventus, " arrival " or " coming ", the first season of the liturgical year begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve.

Traditionally observed as a " fast ", its purpose focuses on preparation for the coming of Christ.

Although often conceived as awaiting the coming of the Christ-child at Christmas, the modern Lectionary points the season more toward eschatological themes — awaiting the final coming of Christ, when " the wolf shall live with the lamb " ( Isaiah 11: 6 ) and when God will have " brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly " ( The Magnificat, Luke 1: 52 )— particularly in the earlier half of the season.

This period of waiting is often marked by the Advent Wreath, a garland of evergreens with four candles.

Although the main symbolism of the advent wreath is simply marking the progression of time, many churches attach themes to each candle, most often ' hope ', ' faith ', ' joy ', and ' love '.