Advent Sunday facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Advent Sunday |
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Lighting the first candle
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| Observed by | Western Christianity |
| Type | Christianity |
| Celebrations | Season of Advent |
| Date | Fourth Sunday before Christmas Day |
| 2024 date | 1 December |
| 2025 date | 30 November |
| 2026 date | 29 November |
| 2027 date | 28 November |
| Frequency | annual |
| Related to | Christmas Day |
Advent Sunday, also known as the First Sunday of Advent, marks an important day for many Christians. It is the very first day of the liturgical year for Western Christian Churches. This day also kicks off the special season of Advent.
On the First Sunday of Advent, Christians begin their preparations for Christmas. Many families start by lighting the first candle on their Advent wreath. They might also pray special Advent prayers each day. Some people put up their Christmas tree or Chrismon tree. Others light a Christingle or decorate their homes. These traditions help believers get ready for the celebration of Christmas.
Contents
Advent Sunday: Getting Ready for Christmas
What is Advent Sunday?
Advent Sunday is the start of the Advent season. This season is a time of waiting and preparing for Christmas. It is a time for Christians to remember the birth of Jesus Christ. It also reminds them of the future return of Jesus.
How Christians Celebrate
Many churches have special services on Advent Sunday. People wear certain colors and light candles.
Colors and Candles
In churches like Lutheran, Anglican, and Methodist churches, the leader often wears purple or blue clothes. These are called vestments. They also light the first purple or blue candle on the Advent wreath. This candle is a symbol of hope.
In the Church of Sweden, which is a Lutheran church, the color is usually white. This is because the day is seen as a joyful celebration. Later in the day, the color might change to blue or purple. Special Bible readings are always part of the service. These readings often talk about Christ coming into the world.
Different Church Traditions
The Catholic Church also starts Advent on this Sunday. Advent begins with an evening prayer on the Sunday closest to November 30. It ends just before Christmas Eve. The color purple is used during Advent. However, on the Third Sunday of Advent, called Gaudete Sunday, the color pink or rose may be used. This color shows joy.
Some older church traditions, like the Ambrosian Rite and the Mozarabic Rite, start Advent earlier. For them, the First Sunday of Advent is two weeks before the Roman tradition. It falls on the Sunday after St. Martin's Day, which is November 11. This means their Advent season is six weeks long.
When is Advent Sunday?
Advent Sunday is always the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day. This means it is the Sunday closest to Saint Andrew's Day, which is November 30.
The date of Advent Sunday can change each year. It can be any day between November 27 and December 3. For example, if Christmas Day is on a Monday, Advent Sunday will be on its latest possible date. You can figure out the date by adding three days to the last Thursday of November. Or, you can find it as the Sunday before the first Thursday of December.
See also
