The History of Advent
Origins of Advent can be traced back to the 4th and 5th centuries, when it was a time of preparation for new Christians to be baptized at the Epiphany feast. The word "Advent" comes from the Latin word adventus, which means "coming".
Here are some key events in the history of Advent:
4th and 5th centuries
In Spain and Gaul, Christians prepared for baptism at the Epiphany feast by fasting, praying, and penancing for 40 days.
6th century
Roman Christians began to associate Advent with the coming of Christ, but not his birth in Bethlehem, but his second coming as the world's judge.
Middle Ages
The Advent season became explicitly linked to Christ's first coming at Christmas.
12th century
Gallic penitential practices spread to Rome.
19th century
German families began marking their walls or doors with chalk to count down the days until Christmas, which is the origin of Advent calendars.
Advent is now celebrated by many Christian churches, including Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Episcopalians, and Lutherans. It is the first season of the liturgical year, which is the church's annual cycle of Scripture readings and feast days.
Advent Wreath <-- Click for video
Many Advent wreaths also have a white candle in the center, known as the 'Christ candle', to symbolize the arrival of Christmastide. It is first lit on Christmas Eve, the beginning of Christmastide, and may be lit throughout the rest of the Christmas season, as well as during Epiphany tide.
The most significant tradition of the Advent season is the four-candle Advent Wreath. The concept of the Advent wreath originated among German Lutherans in the 16th Century. However, the modern four-candle Advent wreath, with its candles representing the Sundays of Advent, originated in 1839.
The evergreen wreath and candles are full of symbolism tied to the Christmas season. So what does the Advent Wreath symbolize? The wreath itself, which is made of various evergreens, signifies continuous life. The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the eternal life we find in Christ.
Even the individual evergreens that make up the wreath have their own meanings that can be adapted to our faith. The laurel signifies victory over persecution and suffering. The pine, holly, and yew signify immortality and the cedar signifies strength and healing. The pine cones that decorate the wreath symbolize life and resurrection. The wreath as a whole is meant to remind us of both the immortality of our souls and God’s promise of everlasting life to us through Christ.
Join us Sunday, December 1 at 10:10 a.m. in Dean Willey Hall for our Annual Advent Wreath Making!
Some Ways to Celebrate Advent:
Call a friend you haven’t spoken with.
Visit a neighbor who lives alone.
Bring something special to your local homeless shelter.
Say a prayer for a different person each day.
Have a fundraiser for your favorite charity.
Ask your family for ideas, little ones have huge hearts and great ideas!
RETURNTo St. Paul's Advent page.