Advent is the season of about four weeks before Christmas that begins the Church's liturgical year. It prepares for Christ's coming in two ways — remembering his birth in Bethlehem and awaiting his return in glory. It is a season of hopeful, joyful preparation.

What is Advent?

A double expectation

Advent comes from the Latin adventus, "coming." The season looks in two directions (CCC 524):

Back to Christ's first coming at Christmas, sharing Israel's long wait for the Messiah.
Forward to his second coming at the end of time.

The first Sundays focus on the Second Coming; from December 17 the readings turn toward the Nativity.

The start of the Church's year

The First Sunday of Advent is the Church's New Year's Day. The cycle of Sunday readings changes then, rotating among the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke.

Signs of the season

Violet vestments express expectation and preparation.
The Advent wreath — four candles, three violet and one rose — marks the Sundays. The rose candle is lit on the Third Sunday, called Gaudete ("Rejoice") Sunday.
The Gloria is omitted at Mass, so that it rings out anew at Christmas.

How to keep Advent

Light the Advent wreath at dinner with a short prayer.
Read the prophecies of Isaiah and the infancy narratives of Luke.
Go to confession before Christmas.
Make room for silence in a noisy season.
Give generously to those in need.

Key days

December 8 — the Immaculate Conception, a holy day of obligation in many countries — and December 12, Our Lady of Guadalupe, fall within Advent.