Advent, the start of a new year for the church, begins four Sundays before Christmas. During this season, we wait, prepare, reflect, and watch hopefully for the coming of God through Jesus in the real world- a world filled with good and bad, happiness and sorrow. Advent is the time for us to celebrate “God with us,” which is the literal translation of “Emmanuel.” The colors of Advent are either purple symbolizing suffering, repentance, Christ’s royalty, and the connection between the birth and death of Jesus, or dark blue, like a predawn winter sky before the sun rises and the light of Christ comes, symbolizing expectation, the hope of faith, heaven and the Virgin Mary.

The altar flowers for Advent reflect the darkness before Christ and get lighter each Sunday. Click the link below for a guide for the Advent altar flowers.