Advent (from the Latin adventus meaning "coming") is a liturgical season observed in many Western Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. Advent marks the beginning of the Western liturgical year and begins on Advent Sunday, the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, Dec. 25. For Christians, the season of Advent serves as a reminder both of the original waiting by Israelites for the birth of the Messiah, and the waiting by Christians for the return of Christ. The most famous hymn of Advent is "O Come Emmanuel." Its lyrics, based on the Prophet Isaiah, articulate the hopeful anticipation of the Advent season:
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Originally observed as a time of fasting and penitence, the emphasis of the season of Advent is one of expectation and anticipation for the coming Messiah. The season of Advent starts out in a sombre tone and for the first two weeks, purple and blue are the primary colors used in church. On the third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday (gaudete means rejoice) pink or rose are the primary colors used. This shift in color symbolizes change in emphasis from expectation to celebration.
In 2011, the Advent season begins on Nov. 27, 2011 and ends on Dec. 24, 2011. The Eastern Churches' equivalent of Advent, Nativity Fast, is 40 days long and began on Nov. 15, 2011.
The themes of the Advent season are Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. Lighting of candles, especially the circular Advent wreath with five candles is an important tradition of the Advent season. Each Sunday of Advent, one of four candles is lit -- with the final candle, the Christ Candle, being lit on Christmas Eve.
PHOTOS: Images Of Advent
Darkness To Light Advent Procession
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SALISBURY, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 28: The interior of Salisbury Cathedral is illuminated by candles carried by choristers during the annual 'darkness to light' advent procession on November 28, 2010 in Salisbury, England. This year's service - which begins with the cathedral in total darkness and silence before the Advent Candle is lit at the West End - features Bruce Munro's fibre optic 'Light Shower' installation high in the Spire Crossing made with 2,000 points of light. The annual advent service is a mix of music and readings during which two great processions move around the different spaces in the building which is, by the end, illuminated by almost 1300 candles. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
SALISBURY, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 28: The interior of Salisbury Cathedral is illuminated by candles carried by choristers during the annual 'darkness to light' advent procession on November 28, 2010 in Salisbury, England. This year's service - which begins with the cathedral in total darkness and silence before the Advent Candle is lit at the West End - features Bruce Munro's fibre optic 'Light Shower' installation high in the Spire Crossing made with 2,000 points of light. The annual advent service is a mix of music and readings during which two great processions move around the different spaces in the building which is, by the end, illuminated by almost 1300 candles. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
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Darkness To Light Advent Procession
SALISBURY, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 28: The interior of Salisbury Cathedral is illuminated by candles carried by choristers during the annual 'darkness to light' advent procession on November 28, 2010 in Salisbury, England. This year's service - which begins with the cathedral in total darkness and silence before the Advent Candle is lit at the West End - features Bruce Munro's fibre optic 'Light Shower' installation high in the Spire Crossing made with 2,000 points of light. The annual advent service is a mix of music and readings during which two great processions move around the different spaces in the building which is, by the end, illuminated by almost 1300 candles. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
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