Advent: Six Facts

This post is about the Christian liturgical season of Advent.

1. Not all Christians celebrate Advent.

Advent is often associated with the Roman Catholic tradition. Some Protestant traditions, such as Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Anglicans, some Baptists, and some Mennonites also observe Advent. 

Other Protestant traditions, especially non-denominational and charismatic traditions, do not observe Advent, although individuals within these traditions may privately follow the traditional liturgical calendar.

2. Advent starts four Sundays before Christmas.

This means that Advent starts on a different date each year. You have to know when Christmas is, then count backwards four Sundays to find out when Advent starts. Or, you can Google it. 

3. Advent is a season of expectation and preparation.

Expectation doesn’t necessarily mean celebration. For many Christians, the season of Advent is a time of hope mixed with longing. 

4. Advent started between the fourth and sixth centuries.

Because the practice is so old, it’s hard to know an exact date. Advent seems to have started sometime in the 300s and become common practice in the 500s.

5. Advent is not an early start to Christmas.

Advent is a religious practice that leads up to Christmas. For those who observe Advent, Christmas starts on December 25.

6. Advent calendars don’t match up with the religious practice of Advent.

This is because advent calendars go from December 1 to December 24 or 25. Advent goes from four Sundays before Christmas, which may start in November, to December 24.