First Sunday of Advent

What Is First Sunday of Advent?

The First Sunday of Advent marks the commencement of the Advent season within the Christian liturgical calendar. Advent is a four-week period of preparation and anticipation leading up to Christmas Day. This initial Sunday establishes the themes of hope and expectation, setting the tone for the coming weeks.

This observance is significant for various Christian denominations, including Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, and Presbyterians. It encourages adherents to reflect on the dual aspects of Advent: the historical arrival of Jesus Christ and the theological anticipation of his Second Coming.

The date of the First Sunday of Advent varies each year, always falling on the Sunday closest to 30th November. This positioning ensures that the Advent season always comprises four Sundays.

History and Origins of First Sunday of Advent

The origins of Advent as a liturgical season can be traced back to the 4th and 5th centuries in Gaul and Spain. Initially, it was a period of fasting and penitence, akin to Lent, observed in preparation for Epiphany, a feast that then encompassed the celebration of Christ’s birth. This early form of Advent varied in length, sometimes lasting for six weeks.

By the 6th century, the city of Rome had adopted Advent, though with a different emphasis, focusing more on Christ’s Second Coming than on Christmas. Pope Gregory I is credited with defining the four-week period of Advent, aligning its purpose more closely with the preparation for Christmas. During this era, the practice of marking each Sunday within Advent began to solidify.

By the Middle Ages, the structure and theological focus of Advent, including the recognition of the First Sunday, were firmly established across Western Christianity. The themes of hope, peace, joy, and love, symbolised by the four Sundays of Advent, became central to its observance, providing a structured period for contemplation before the Christmas celebrations.

How First Sunday of Advent Is Celebrated

Celebrations of the First Sunday of Advent primarily centre around church services and home-based traditions. The atmosphere in many churches shifts to one of eager expectation, often featuring specific hymns and readings pertinent to the season. Liturgical colours, typically purple or blue, are introduced to symbolise penitence, royalty, and hope.

Church Observances

During church services on the First Sunday of Advent, a significant ritual involves the lighting of the first candle on an Advent wreath. This wreath, traditionally made from evergreen branches, symbolises eternal life. The first candle, often purple, represents hope or prophecy, symbolising the anticipation of Christ’s arrival. Prayers and scripture readings focus on the themes of expectation, vigilance, and the prophetic announcements of the Messiah.

Home Traditions

Many families incorporate Advent traditions into their homes. The Advent wreath, with its four candles, is a common feature, with the first candle being lit on this Sunday and subsequently each following Sunday of Advent. Advent calendars, which count down the days until Christmas, often begin their daily reveals on this day. Some families also engage in specific prayers, Bible readings, or charitable acts throughout the Advent season, commencing on the First Sunday. In some households, decorations may begin to appear, although full Christmas decor is typically reserved for later in the season.

When Is First Sunday of Advent?

The First Sunday of Advent is a moveable observance, meaning its date changes each year. It is determined by its relationship to Christmas Day. Specifically, it is always the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day.

This calculation places the First Sunday of Advent within a window of time between 27th November and 3rd December. For example, if Christmas Day falls on a Wednesday, the First Sunday of Advent would be the last Sunday of November. If Christmas Day falls on a Sunday, the First Sunday of Advent would be exactly three weeks prior, which would be the 3rd December. This adherence to the Gregorian calendar ensures a consistent four-Sunday Advent period annually.

First Sunday of Advent Key Facts