119. Why Christians Observe Advent

For many people, the word Advent evokes the image of chocolate calendars and countdowns to Christmas morning. But in the life of the Church, Advent is far more than a seasonal celebration; it is a sacred time of waiting, reflection, and preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ. So, let’s dive into how Catholics and other Christians observe Advent.

As a new Catholic convert, I’m discovering that Advent is deeply woven into the fabric of the liturgical year. It’s a season of penitence, hope, and sacred preparation. In other Christian traditions I’ve belonged to in the past, it was often observed as a time of joyful expectation and renewal of faith.

Nearly all Christian traditions observe Advent in some form, and what it means to them varies widely. For Catholics, Advent holds deep liturgical and spiritual significance. For many Protestant and Orthodox Christians, it’s also a season of hope and anticipation, though its customs and emphasis differ.

In this article, we’ll explore how Catholics understand and celebrate Advent, how other Christian traditions approach the season, and what unites them all in this time of holy expectation.

1. What Is Advent?

The word Advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival.” It refers to two arrivals of Christ — His first coming in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago, and His promised second coming at the end of time.

The Advent season marks the beginning of the liturgical year for many Christian denominations, typically spanning the four Sundays before Christmas. It is a time to prepare one’s heart for both the celebration of Christ’s birth and the hope of His return in glory.

For Catholics, this dual focus makes Advent both joyful and penitential. It is not yet Christmas; rather, it is a season of waiting in faith, much like Israel once awaited its Messiah.

2. How Catholics Observe Advent

A Season of Expectant Preparation

In the Catholic Church, Advent begins four Sundays before December 25 and concludes on Christmas Eve. The tone of the season is one of quiet anticipation rather than celebration. The Church invites the faithful to slow down, pray, and reflect to prepare their hearts to receive Christ more deeply.

Liturgical Colours and Symbols

Liturgical colour: Violet (or purple) is used for most of Advent, symbolising penitence and royalty. On the third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, the priest wears rose-coloured vestments to mark a joyful break in the season’s tone — the name “Gaudete” means “rejoice.”

Advent wreath: Perhaps the most recognisable symbol, the Advent wreath features four candles — three purple and one rose — encircling evergreen branches. Each candle represents one week of Advent, often symbolising hope, peace, joy, and love. The lighting of each candle marks the growing light of Christ entering the world.

Advent readings: The Scripture readings during Mass shift the focus from the final judgment in the early weeks to the events leading up to Christ’s birth in the latter ones. Prophecies from Isaiah and the stories of John the Baptist and Mary feature prominently.

Spiritual Practices

Catholics are encouraged to embrace prayer, reflection, and acts of charity during Advent. Some traditions include-

Advent calendars or devotional booklets for daily reflection.
The Jesse Tree, which traces salvation history through symbols leading to Christ’s birth.
Confession and penance, preparing the soul for Christ’s coming.

Advent is not a time for premature Christmas festivities in the Catholic calendar. While many decorations and celebrations occur worldwide, the Church holds back its full joy for the Christmas season itself, which begins on December 25 and lasts for 12 days (ending with Epiphany).

3. Advent in Other Christian Traditions

Protestant Traditions

Many Protestant denominations also celebrate Advent, though their practices and emphases differ.

Lutherans and Anglicans: These traditions have retained much of the liturgical character of Advent. They use the Advent wreath, purple or blue vestments, and similar readings from the lectionary. The focus is on hope, repentance, and joy, with an emphasis on preparing the heart for both the nativity and the second coming of Christ.

Methodists: Methodists often follow a four-week structure with themes like Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love, marked by candle lighting and hymns such as O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.

Reformed and Presbyterian churches: These may observe Advent more simply, emphasising Scripture readings and sermons focused on prophecy and fulfilment, rather than ritual or liturgical colour.

Evangelical churches: Some modern evangelical congregations have recently reclaimed Advent to resist the commercialisation of Christmas. Their celebrations often focus on worship, family devotion, and missional giving rather than formal liturgy.

In general, Protestant celebrations of Advent tend to emphasise expectant joy and Scripture reflection more than penitential preparation. While Catholics may speak of “preparing one’s soul,” Protestants might frame Advent as “preparing one’s heart” to welcome Jesus anew.

Eastern Orthodox Traditions

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, Advent takes on a different form altogether. Known as the Nativity Fast or Philip’s Fast, it begins 40 days before Christmas (on November 15) and lasts until December 24.

During this period, Orthodox Christians focus on fasting, prayer, and repentance, much as during Lent. Meat, dairy, and certain other foods are often abstained from as a form of spiritual discipline.

The Orthodox approach to Advent is less about liturgical symbolism (such as candles or wreaths) and more about spiritual purification, preparing to encounter the mystery of the Incarnation through humility and simplicity.

4. Shared Themes Across Traditions

Despite their differences, Christians of all denominations share several core themes during Advent:

Hope: Looking forward to the fulfilment of God’s promises.
Preparation: Ready hearts for Christ’s coming — both at Christmas and at the end of time.
Light in darkness: As candles are lit and nights grow longer, believers remember Christ as the Light of the World.
Joy and peace: Even in waiting, the season is marked by joy rooted in divine assurance, not worldly cheer.

Whether through solemn liturgy, candlelight worship, fasting, or family prayer, Christians around the world unite in a common rhythm of waiting with expectation.

5. Advent vs. Christmas: A Sacred Distinction

One important distinction in Catholic and traditional liturgical practice is the separation of Advent and Christmas.

In the West, there is a tendency to start Christmas celebrations right after Thanksgiving, which is celebrated in the USA. And now even earlier in the UK and Australia- right after Halloween!

The Catholic Church, along with many liturgical Protestant churches, keeps Advent as a distinct season of waiting. Christmas begins, not ends, on December 25.

This rhythm offers a profound spiritual lesson: the greatest joys are worth waiting for. By honouring Advent’s quiet anticipation, believers rediscover the depth of Christmas joy when it finally arrives.

Waiting with the Whole Church

Advent is a season that calls every Christian Catholic, Protestant, or Orthodox to pause, reflect, and hope. It reminds us that the story of Christ is both ancient and ongoing, that His coming is not only an event in the past but a promise for the future.

As a new Catholic convert, I am learning that for Catholics, Advent is deeply woven into the fabric of the liturgical year, a time of penitence, hope, and sacred preparation. For other Christian traditions, like the one I belonged to in the past, it’s often a season of joyful expectation and renewal of faith.

Yet in every form, Advent invites believers to lift their eyes toward the horizon of eternity and whisper the Church’s timeless prayer:

“Come, Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:20)

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