After the success of our Lent FAQ with Fr. Mike Schmitz, we are back with some more FAQs to help you live out the best Advent ever!
Advent marks the beginning of a new Church year—a season of hope, anticipation, and preparation for the coming of Christ. But what exactly is Advent? When is it? Why does it start when it does? And how can we live it well in our daily lives?
Whether you’re new to the liturgical calendar or looking to deepen your understanding, here’s a simple guide to the season of Advent.
Q: What is Advent?
Advent is the four-week season leading up to Christmas. The word Advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival.” During this time, the Church prepares to celebrate Jesus’ first coming at His birth and looks forward to His second coming in glory.
Q: When does Advent start and end?
In 2025, Advent begins on Sunday, November 30 and ends before Christmas Eve (December 24). The season always includes four Sundays before Christmas.
Q: Why does Advent begin on a different date each year?
Advent starts on the Sunday closest to November 30, the Feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle. Because Christmas falls on different days of the week each year, the start of Advent shifts accordingly—sometimes in late November, sometimes in early December.
Q: What is the purpose of Advent?
Advent is a time of spiritual preparation—not just for Christmas, but for welcoming Christ more deeply into our hearts and lives. It’s a season to:
- Grow in hope as we remember God’s promises,
- Practice repentance through prayer and the sacraments, and
- Renew our joy and love as we prepare for the coming of Christ.
Q: What are the traditional symbols of Advent?
- Advent Wreath: A circular wreath with four candles (three purple and one rose). A new candle is lit each Sunday—representing hope, peace, joy, and love.
- Advent Candles:
- First Week (Purple): Hope
- Second Week (Purple): Peace
- Third Week (Rose): Joy (Gaudete Sunday)
- Fourth Week (Purple): Love
- Colors: Violet (for penance and preparation) and rose (for joy).
- Jesse Tree: A visual tradition connecting Old Testament prophecies to the coming of Christ.
Q: What is Gaudete Sunday?
The Third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin word meaning “rejoice.” On this day, the Church lightens the penitential tone of Advent to celebrate the nearness of Christ’s coming. Priests wear rose-colored vestments, and the rose candle on the wreath is lit.
Q: How is Advent different from Lent?
Both are seasons of preparation, but Advent is marked by hopeful anticipation, while Lent emphasizes penitence and conversion. Advent focuses on joy and expectation of Christ’s coming, rather than sorrow for sin.
Q: How can I live Advent as a student or missionary disciple?
- Create a daily rhythm of prayer. Try setting aside time each day for silence or Scripture reflection.
- Pray the Rosary or O Antiphons. These prayers help focus your heart on Christ’s coming.
- Go to Confession. Begin the new liturgical year with a clean heart.
- Practice generosity. Serve others—especially those in need—as a way of preparing room for Jesus.
- Keep an Advent journal. Reflect on where God is calling you to deeper faith, hope, and love.
Q: What are the O Antiphons?
The O Antiphons are seven ancient prayers prayed from December 17–23, each highlighting a title for Christ (for example, O Wisdom, O Emmanuel). You may recognize them from the Advent hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”
Q: What does Advent have to do with missionary discipleship?
Advent mirrors the heart of the missionary disciple: waiting in hope, preparing in faith, and witnessing to joy.
It’s a perfect time for evangelization—when conversations about Christmas can become invitations to encounter Christ Himself.
Q: What happens after Advent?
Advent concludes with the vigil of Christmas Eve, ushering in the Christmas season, which celebrates the birth of Christ through the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord in January.
Additional Resources
The FOCUS Blog is your hub for all things Advent and Christmas! Got a question, like “When Is Advent 2025?” Or, maybe you’re looking for some resources to help you live out Advent/Christmas as intentional as you can, like these:
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