Advent lasts for four weeks leading up to Christmas day and is the first season of the Church year. Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and ends the afternoon of Christmas Eve. The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word adventus: “a coming, approach, arrival” and so it is a season to remember the centuries that the people of God waited for the promised Messiah Jesus, and also preparation and hope for His promised eventual return in glory. It is a season of the ‘already’ and the ‘not yet.’

Practices to consider during advent:

• Read, meditate on, and discuss the Advent Devotion

• Use an Advent wreath, lighting an additional candle each Sunday. 

• Pray the Daily Office

• Engage with service opportunities

• Display a nativity and add new pieces each week

• Decorate incrementally through the season

• Sing Advent songs

“Waiting is a period of learning. The longer we wait, the more we hear about him for whom we are waiting.”

-Henri Nouwen

Learn More About Advent

Advent Events