ADVENT2014

Liturgically-oriented Christian denominations like Roman Catholicism and Lutheran and Episcopalian churches celebrate the four weeks prior to Christmas as the season of Advent. The season is determined by four Sundays prior to December 25th, so sometimes the fourth "week" of Advent can be very short.  In 2014 this season begins on the evening of Saturday, November 29th, with the lighting of the first candle of the Advent wreath. Sabbath worship in many Christian churches begins on Saturday evening. Technically known as a "vigil," this follows the Jewish reckoning of the day as starting at sundown the evening prior.

The liturgical color of Advent is either deep indigo, blue, or purple. A straight forward blue would be in honor of Mary (the Blessed Virgin), whose story and pregnancy dominates the Advent season; whereas a blue-purple would be to distinguish Advent from the red-purple of Lent. Advent is meant to provide religious and spiritual preparation for the celebration of the Christmas season, which BEGINS on Christmas Eve. Much of society has turned the days prior to the 24th into a secular Christmas season, so much so that what is meant to be the start of Christmas is mistaken by many to be the end of the celebrating. Advent preparation focuses a Christian believer onto the true meaning of Christmas.