What is Advent? Here's everything you need to know

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Advent is an important part of the Christian calendar which involves many customs including burning candles and attending carol services like this one.

It's December and the build up to Christmas is underway!

Your advent calendar might be hanging in the kitchen or on the back of your bedroom door, with 24 little doors just WAITING to be opened.

But Advent is far more than just ripping open tiny cardboard doors to get a quick bite of chocolate before you go off to school.

For Christians in the UK and all over the world, Advent is an important time to celebrate the arrival of Jesus on Christmas Day.

Read on to find out why this time of the year is so special for Christians.

Image source, Godong

Image caption, A traditional advent wreath, complete with candles, shooting star and a depiction of the Nativity - the birth of Jesus.

What is Advent?

Advent means 'coming' and it's the period before Christmas which celebrates the birth of Jesus.

Advent starts on the Sunday nearest to 30 November - four weekend's before Christmas.

So in 2024, it starts on Sunday 1 December and will be observed until Friday 24 December.

Why do people celebrate?

Image source, Godong

Image caption, A seasonal Advent calendar for the countdown for Christmas depicts the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem

Christianity focuses on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe to be the Son of God.

Christmas celebrates Jesus' birth - so the Advent period reminds Christians to remember and prepare for those celebrations.

Services will take place in church, carols will be sung and Nativity plays and Christmas shows will be performed in schools across the UK.

Why do people have advent calendars?

Video caption, What is a reverse Advent calendar?

Many Advent customs involve counting down the days until Christmas begins.

Some churches have an Advent wreath with five candles, one for each of the four Sunday's leading up to Christmas Day and one for Christmas Day itself.

Sometimes Christians will have their own Advent candle which they'll burn at home. This burns down gradually as each day passes towards the 25 December.

Many people who aren't Christians also look ahead to Christmas by having an Advent calendar, but it might not have the same religious importance.

Some Advent calendars might have a treat behind the door like a picture, or a chocolate.

Advent calendars traditionally would have had images that tell the story of the Nativity, and many still do.

How much do you know about Advent? Test yourself with our quiz.