If you’ve ever popped open an Advent calendar to find a sub-par chocolate or marvelled at the oddity of tiny beauty products stuffed behind numbered doors, you’re already familiar with the concept of Advent. But did you know that this tradition goes way beyond sweets and socks? Advent Sunday marks the beginning of the liturgical season of Advent—a time of anticipation, preparation, and reflection that’s been celebrated for centuries.
Whether you’re a devout time traveller or just here for the festive trivia, let’s light a metaphorical Advent candle and dive into the origins, traditions, and quirks of this season of waiting.
What is Advent Sunday?
Advent Sunday is the fourth Sunday before Christmas, and it kicks off the Advent season in the Christian calendar. The word Advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival,” and refers to the anticipation of Christ’s birth (and, depending on your theological leanings, his second coming).
The season isn’t just about counting down the days; it’s a time of spiritual reflection, fasting, and preparing for the arrival of light in the darkest days of the year—literally and metaphorically. It’s essentially the medieval version of tidying your mental and spiritual house before hosting the ultimate VIP guest: the Son of God.
A Brief History of Advent
The origins of Advent date back to the 4th or 5th century, when early Christians in Spain and Gaul began fasting in preparation for the Feast of Epiphany (6th January). Over time, the focus shifted to the Nativity, and by the 6th century, Pope Gregory I established Advent as a four-week period of spiritual preparation.
Medieval Advent wasn’t exactly jolly. It was a time of fasting, prayer, and abstaining from luxury—sort of like a pre-Christmas Lent. No mince pies or mulled wine back then, folks. But by the Middle Ages, traditions like lighting Advent candles and decorating with evergreens began to add a more festive flair, balancing the season’s penitential tone with a healthy dose of hope and joy.
Advent Traditions Through Time
Advent has inspired a wealth of traditions, many of which we still celebrate today (with a few modern twists):
1. Advent Wreaths and Candles
The Advent wreath is a classic symbol of the season, featuring four candles (three purple, one pink) set in a circle of evergreen branches. Each candle represents one of the four Sundays of Advent, and the pink candle is lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, symbolising joy. In medieval Europe, these wreaths would have been simple and solemn, but modern versions range from traditional to Instagram-worthy works of art.
2. Advent Calendars
While you won’t find an actual medieval monk sneaking chocolates into tiny doors, the Advent calendar concept originated in 19th-century Germany, when devout families marked the days to Christmas with chalk or devotional images. By the early 20th century, printed calendars with doors to open became popular, and today they’re filled with everything from gin to Lego sets. Talk about progress.
3. Advent Fasting
Advent used to involve fasting and abstinence from meat, dairy, and certain luxuries—much like Lent. While this tradition has faded in most modern Christian practices, it’s still observed in some Eastern Orthodox communities. For the rest of us, December now seems more about indulgence than restraint. (Pass the mince pies, please.)
4. Songs and Services
Advent Sunday often includes special church services, with hymns like O Come, O Come, Emmanuel setting the tone for the season. In the Middle Ages, these services were grand affairs, featuring chants and candlelit processions designed to lift spirits in the darkest days of winter.
A Time Traveller’s Guide to Advent Sunday
Want to experience Advent Sunday in all its historical glory? Here’s your step-by-step guide to travelling back in time to join the celebration (or at least recreate the vibe in your own home):
- Choose Your Era: The Middle Ages offer a solemn and spiritual Advent experience, complete with fasting and Gregorian chants. For something more festive, hop to Victorian Germany to witness the early days of Advent calendars.
- Light a Candle (or Four): Grab an Advent wreath—or make your own with greenery and candles. Light one each Sunday, and reflect on the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love.
- Sing an Advent Hymn: Practice your Latin and join a medieval congregation in singing Veni, Veni, Emmanuel. Or, if you prefer, blast a modern version of the hymn and call it a day.
- Reflect and Prepare: Take a page from the medieval Advent handbook and use the season for introspection. You don’t have to fast (unless you really want to), but a little quiet reflection pairs nicely with a steaming cup of mulled cider.
- DIY Advent Calendar: Channel your inner 19th-century German and create your own Advent calendar with personalised treats or messages behind each door. Bonus points if it doesn’t involve mass-produced chocolate.
Advent Sunday in the Modern World
While Advent may not be as solemn as it once was, its themes of waiting, preparation, and hope remain timeless. In a world that’s often obsessed with instant gratification, the season invites us to slow down, take stock, and focus on what really matters—whether that’s faith, family, or simply the joy of a well-lit Christmas tree.
So this Advent Sunday, take a moment to breathe, light a candle, and let the anticipation build. After all, as the medieval folk might remind us, good things come to those who wait. Just ask the wise men.
