Advent is a season observed in many Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas and the return of Jesus at the Second Coming. The Advent season lasts for four Sundays leading up to Christmas.
The History of Advent
The tradition of Advent originated in the 4th century CE as a time of preparation for Epiphany, which celebrates the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus on January 6. At that time, Advent lasted from November 11, the feast of St. Martin, to January 6. Eventually the season was expanded to four Sundays before Christmas.
The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival.” For Christians, Advent serves as a time reflect on the two comings of Jesus Christ – his birth and his Second Coming. The Advent season is the beginning of the Christian liturgical year in the Western tradition.
Advent Symbols and Traditions
Over the centuries, certain symbols and traditions have come to represent the themes and spiritual meaning of Advent. These include:
– The Advent Wreath: Circular evergreen wreaths with four or five candles are used to mark each week of Advent. Typically three candles are purple, symbolizing penitence and sacrifice, while the fourth candle is rose-colored representing joy. The light of the candles growing each week represents the coming of Jesus, the Light of the World.
– The Advent Calendar: Creative calendars help count down the days of Advent to Christmas, often with scripture verses or simple gifts behind little doors.
– The Jesse Tree: Ornaments representing Jesus’s family tree are added gradually to a Jesse Tree, named from Isaiah 11:1 “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse.”
– St. Nicholas Day: Observed on Dec. 6, St. Nicholas Day celebrates the generosity of the historical 4th century saint behind the Santa Claus legend.
– Christmas Pageants and Cantatas: Churches use special music and drama during Advent to tell the Christmas story.
The Colors of the Advent Candles
The four candles in the Advent wreath typically reflect the liturgical colors of the season. Here are the five colors of Advent and their meanings:
| Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Purple | Royalty and penitence |
| Blue | Hope and waiting |
| Rose | Joy and gladness |
| White | Purity and innocence |
| Gold | Royalty and triumph |
Purple
The color associated with Advent is purple, the ancient color of royalty and penitence. Purple symbolizes the expectation, anticipation, and longing displayed during the season of Advent. Violet vestments worn by priests and purple altar cloths and banners set the tone of somber spirituality and sacrifice. Purple also represents prayer, fasting, and repenting as spiritual preparations for Christ’s coming.
Blue
Some churches use blue rather than purple for Advent. Blue represents hope and waiting, denoting the preparatory period of Advent leading up to Christ’s Nativity. As the deep blue color of the night sky anticipates the light of dawn, blue symbolizes hopeful expectation for the Light of the World.
Rose
On the third Sunday of Advent, called Gaudete or “Rejoice” Sunday, rose-colored vestments and altar decorations replace the purple to communicate joy and gladness. Rose represents the nearness of Christmas, a pause in penitence, and lightening of the somberness of the season. Some Advent wreaths include a pink or rose-colored candle to light on the third Sunday.
White
The optional fourth candle on an Advent wreath is white, representing purity and holiness. White reflects Christ’s sinless nature about to enter the world. White symbolizes the exalted state of anticipation on Christmas Eve itself, purification of sins, and innocence restored through Christ.
Gold
Gold is sometimes used for the Christ candle at the center of the wreath, lit on Christmas Eve and Day. Gold represents Christ’s majesty as the King whose coming is prepared for during Advent. The golden light emanating from the Christ candle points toward the glory of the Nativity, Incarnation, and the promise of redemption by the Messiah.
Advent Liturgical Colors in Worship
The symbolism of the Advent liturgical colors appears throughout church sanctuaries in the weeks leading to Christmas:
| Color | Use in Worship |
|---|---|
| Purple | Clergy vestments, altar cloths, banners |
| Blue | Clergy vestments, altar cloths |
| Rose | Third Sunday vestments, flowers |
| White | Christ candle, Christmas décor |
| Gold | Christ candle, manger scene figures |
The increasing light of the candles paired with the meaningful colors sets the atmosphere for the holy season of Advent in anticipation of celebrating Jesus, the Light of the World, on Christmas.
Conclusion
The four weeks of Advent are richly imbued with symbolism and meaning surrounding the comings of Christ. The traditional liturgical colors of purple, blue, rose, white, and gold each contribute unique expression and imagery during worship services and personal devotions. As the light grows week by week, the colors of Advent guide believers through a thoughtful period of prayer, spiritual purification, and joyful expectation before celebrating the wondrous miracle of the Nativity.
