The Christian Year begins at the end of November / beginning of December with the Season of Advent. At a turning point in the year, which (in the northern hemisphere) includes the shortest day, Advent is a time to prepare for the celebration of Jesus’ birth on 25 December.

Advent takes its name from the Latin word adventus which in turn was a translation of the Greek word parousia which was used to refer to Christ’s second coming. So Advent is not just preparation for Christmas, but it also looks forward to Jesus coming again ‘on clouds of glory’ for the final joyful fulfilment of God’s reign (kingdom).

Many churches in Britain mark Advent and its preparation for Christmas with Advent candles: four coloured candles surrounding a white candle, often decorated with holly and ivy. One coloured candle is lit on the 1st Sunday of Advent, 2 the following week and so on until all five are lit on Christmas Day.

It is possible to mark an aspect of Advent on each of the four Sundays. The lectionary is the best guide, but Emily Chisholm’s hymn ‘The holly and the ivy / Are dancing in a ring’ (HP88) offers:

1. God’s people watching, believing, obeying
2. The prophets like lights in the darkness, foretelling Christ’s birth
3. John the Baptist calling for people to be ready for Christ’s coming
4. Mary, the mother of Jesus believing, obeying

She also adds a final verse for Christmas Day: ‘He has come today!’ Her hymn also specifies that the coloured candles are red.

Celebrating Advent can get squeezed by early celebration of Christmas, which technically begins on 25 December (perhaps 24 December!) The Church chooses not to be pedantic and (like those Christian missionaries around AD300) celebrates when people want to celebrate. Still, there are important Advent themes that need not be overlooked in slightly premature carol services.

Click here for Church of Scotland resources for Advent.