Advent is a time of joyful anticipation and preparation for Jesus’ birth - the Nativity - and also a looking forward to the time of His second coming at the end of time. Scripture readings during Advent emphasise the second coming and include themes of accountability for faithfulness, judgment on sin and the hope of eternal life. Advent therefore focuses on the past (Nativity) and the future (Jesus’ second coming).
The history of Advent in the early church is not certain but it has probably been observed since the fourth century. At the end of that century there is evidence of preparation for Christ’s birthday by fasting and abstinence. It was a time when converts to Christianity were readied for baptism. Certainly in the eight century, when association with preparation for the second coming became important, the season of Advent was kept as a period of fasting as strict as in Lent. It began on November 11th, St Martin’s feast day. How many of us would be able to cope with that now?
In church we mark the passing of Advent by a wreath with four coloured and one white candle, a new one is lit each week. The wreath is a circle of evergreen branches having no beginning or no end, it symbolises everlasting life. Three purple candles represent hope, peace and love. Purple is the colour of royalty and the dyes to make it rare and expensive, consequently it is chosen to honour Jesus. A pink candle which is lit on the third or Gaudete Sunday represents joy. Gaudete comes from the Latin word for rejoice. This third Sunday marks a change of emphasis on penitence as attention passes to joyful celebration of Christ’s coming, and acknowledgement that Advent is half over. At the first Mass of Christmas a fifth candle in the centre of the wreath is lit. It is white and represents the coming of the Light of the world.
The colour of the vestments in Advent is purple the colour of penitence and fasting as well as royalty. It is also the colour of suffering as in Lent and Holy Week. This serves to remind us that the nativity and incarnation cannot be separated from the crucifixion.
Judy Freegard