What Is Advent?
Advent is the season of the year leading up to Christmas. It is observed with various traditions and rituals by Catholics and other liturgical groups such as Lutherans, Anglicans, and Methodists. In recent years, Advent celebrations of one type or another have been added to many evangelical services as well. When people ask “What is Advent?” they are asking about a season that holds together the birth of Christ, the hope of his return, and the way the church prepares itself through worship, prayer, and expectation.
The word Advent itself means “arrival” or “an appearing or coming into place.” Christians often speak of Christ’s “first advent” and “second advent,” that is, his first and second comings to earth. His first advent is the incarnation at Christmastime, when the Son of God took on flesh (John 1:14; Luke 2:10–11). His second advent is his promised return in glory to judge and renew all things (Matt. 24:30–31; Rev. 22:20). The Advent season holds both in view.
The Meaning of Advent: “Arrival” and the Two Comings of Christ
To understand what Advent is, it helps to start with the word itself. Advent comes from the Latin adventus, “coming.” Scripture uses this idea for both the first appearing of Christ and his final appearing. The New Testament faith is saturated with expectation of this second Advent; the hope of Christ’s return shapes how believers see history, suffering, and holiness (Titus 2:11–13; 1 Thess. 1:9–10).
First advent: the incarnation
Jesus is the promised Redeemer who fulfills the Old Testament promises of a coming Savior (Gen. 3:15; Isa. 9:6–7; Mic. 5:2).
At his first advent, he comes in humility, to save by his cross and resurrection (Phil. 2:5–11; Mark 10:45).
Second advent: the return of Christ
Jesus promises to return as Judge and King (Matt. 25:31–32; Acts 1:11).
The expectation of Christ’s second Advent is a central aspect of New Testament eschatology, so much so that the faith of the New Testament is dominated by this expectation (Heb. 9:28; 2 Pet. 3:10–13).
Advent is the season that remembers the first advent and anticipates the second. As Israel longed for their Messiah to come, so Christians long for their Savior to come again. The Advent season makes that longing concrete in the church’s worship.
When the Advent Season Happens and How Long It Lasts
The Advent season lasts for four Sundays. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, or the nearest Sunday to November 30, traditionally associated with St. Andrew’s Day. Advent ends on Christmas Eve and thus is not considered part of the Christmas season itself. Christmas begins with Christmas Day; Advent prepares for it.
In the West, the basic pattern is:
Advent begins on the Sunday closest to November 30.
The four Sundays of Advent follow, leading up to December 24.
Advent ends on Christmas Eve; Christmas season starts with December 25.
The Eastern Orthodox Church does not observe Advent in the same way, but they do keep a long fast before Christmas, sometimes called the Nativity Fast, beginning in mid-November. In the West, Advent has developed a more festive tone than a strict fast, although many churches also keep a fast and focus on prayer and penitence akin to what takes place during the Lenten season. For this reason, Advent is sometimes called “Little Lent.” Advent is seen as a time to prepare one’s heart for Christmas and for the eventual return of Christ and the judgment he will bring to the world (2 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 14:10–12).
How Christians Observe Advent in Church and Home
Churches that observe Advent usually decorate their sanctuaries in the liturgical color of Advent, purple (or in some cases royal blue). Purple signals solemn preparation and the kingship of Christ. Some churches change the color to rose on the third or fourth Sunday of Advent to signify a greater emphasis on the joy of the season (Phil. 4:4–5).
Common Advent practices include:
Use of purple (or blue) paraments and vestments.
Advent readings from Isaiah, the Gospels, and epistles that speak of Christ’s coming (Isa. 7:14; Isa. 40:1–5; Luke 1–2).
Hymns that express longing and hope, such as “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”
Emphasis on repentance, watchfulness, and hope in preaching and prayer.
One of the most common Advent traditions involves evergreen wreaths, branches, and trees. On the first Sunday of Advent, churches and homes are often decorated with green to symbolize the eternal life that Jesus brings (John 10:10; John 11:25–26). An Advent wreath—an evergreen circle with four colored candles surrounding a white one in the middle—is placed in a prominent spot. The candles are then lighted one at a time, on successive Sundays:
The first candle is the candle of “hope” or “expectation.”
The remaining perimeter candles may represent peace, joy, and love, or similar themes.
On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, the center white candle is lighted; this is the “Christ Candle,” a reminder that Jesus, the Light of the World, has come (John 8:12).
Advent calendars are also widely used to count down the days till Christmas. An Advent calendar contains a number of covered “windows” that are opened, one a day, until Christmas Day. Each open window reveals a picture related to the season or a poem or a Bible verse or a treat of some kind. Many parents find that an Advent calendar is a good way to teach their children the true meaning of Christmas—though there are secular versions that focus on toys, candy, or other gifts.
What Advent Teaches About the Gospel and the Last Days
What is Advent, theologically? It is a yearly reminder that the same God who came in humility will come again in glory. The Advent season draws together several key biblical themes.
Advent and God’s presence
Advent recalls that in Christ, God has come to dwell with his people (Matt. 1:23; John 1:14). It also points toward the day when God’s dwelling will be with humanity in a renewed creation (Rev. 21:1–3).Advent and the Spirit
Scripture sometimes speaks of a “coming” of God in terms of the Spirit’s presence. God consecrates his people and his temple by a kind of Spirit advent, placing his name there (1 Kgs. 9:3). The coming of the Spirit at Pentecost is another advent moment, marking the last days and empowering the church (Acts 2:16–21).Advent and the last days
The New Testament teaches that we are already in what it calls “the last days,” beginning with Christ’s first coming and continuing until his return (Heb. 1:1–2; 1 John 2:18). Advent emphasizes this tension: the kingdom has arrived in Christ, yet believers still pray, “Your kingdom come” (Matt. 6:10).Advent and judgment
The second advent brings final judgment on evil and the final overthrow of Satan (2 Thess. 1:7–10; Rev. 20:7–10). Advent keeps this reality before the church, calling Christians to holiness and readiness (1 Thess. 5:1–6).
In all this, Advent is not merely about seasonal nostalgia. It is about the Gospel—God’s saving work accomplished in Christ’s first advent, applied by the Spirit, and awaiting consummation at his second advent.
Should Christians Observe Advent?
Should Christians observe Advent? This is a matter of personal conviction, but largely the answer is yes. Advent can be a beneficial reminder, not just of Christ’s first coming, but of the second advent that is patterned upon the first. It is good to commemorate Jesus’ birth and to anticipate his return. Such commemoration and anticipation should be part of Christian life every day, but it is good to focus on these truths at this time of year.
Important clarifications:
Are Christians commanded to observe Advent? No. Scripture does not require it (Col. 2:16–17).
Does observing Advent make someone a better Christian or more acceptable to God? No. Justification is in Christ alone (Rom. 3:21–26).
Can celebrating Advent be a good reminder of what the season is truly about? Yes, and therein lies its greatest value.
When used wisely, Advent helps the church remember that history is moving toward the visible reign of Christ, whose first advent guarantees the second. It trains God’s people to live as those who look back to the manger and ahead to the clouds of glory.
Bible Verses About Advent
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” (Isaiah 9:2)
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.” (Isaiah 9:6)
“A voice cries: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD.’” (Isaiah 40:3)
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah… from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel.” (Micah 5:2)
“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14)
“Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13)
“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20)
