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• The Christian liturgical season of Advent, which begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas day, is marked by a number of symbols. Advent calendars are used to keep track of the days leading up to Jesus' birth. Candles on Advent wreaths are lit each Sunday of Advent, while many families sing songs of joy and anticipation.

• Fast Facts

  1. Advent is a devotional period observed in the weeks leading up to Christmas
  2. Marks the beginning of the church year for most Western churchesCRI/Voice, Institute: The Christian Season of Advent
  3. The Advent wreath is a traditional symbol of the season
  4. Wreaths are often made of evergreen, with four candles on them
  5. Three of the candles are purple; a fourth is rose-colored or pink
  6. One candle is lit on each Sunday before Advent
  7. Some Christians include a large white candle in the center of the wreath, known as the "Christ candle"
  8. The Christ candle is lit on either Christmas Eve or Christmas day
  9. Advent calendars are used to help mark the days leading up to Christ's birth
  10. Calendars can be wooden or made of paper or felt
  11. Many calendars have windows or drawers on them; one drawer or window is typically opened during each day of Advent
  12. Windows often contain images or scenes of the Nativity; drawers can hold small gifts, like candy or chocolate

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Advent | Advent Wreaths | Advent Candles | Advent Calendars | Wooden Advent Calendars | How to Make an Advent Calendar | Advent Songs | Advent Coloring Pages and Crafts | Advent Prayers, Liturgies, Readings, Poems and Devotions | The Meaning and History of Advent | Epiphany | Christmas | Christmas History | Jesus of Nazareth | Christianity | Lent | Easter | God | Winter Solstice | The Bible | The Roman Catholic Church | Christmas Eve

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