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Advent

Just as there is no starting point on a wheel, so there is no single, logical place for the year to begin.  For Christians, however. the year begins with the season of Advent, the four weeks in which we prepare for Christmas. Since Christmas celebrates Christ's birth, the preparation for that day does form a logical starting point. Beginnings bring endings to mind as well, and as we prepare to celebrate Christ's first coming, it is natural to think also of his promised last coming at the end of time. Advent, as a result, has a variety of themes. To prepare for any celebration involves a good deal of work. This may be hard work, but we enjoy it because of the celebration we anticipate. Advent is also a penitential season, a time to remember our sins and seek forgiveness.

The most familiar custom of the season is probably the Advent wreath, four candles in a setting of greens. Candles in the Advent wreath may be either blue or purple- or even white or whatever is available. 

Two different traditions are followed in the Episcopal Church concerning the seasonal color of Advent. Some churches adhere to the medieval Roman custom of purple vestments and altar hangings. Purple was a royal color in ancient times, and the use of purple in Advent may be thought of as preparing the throne room for the coming of our king, but is has often been called a penitential color because of its dark and somber tone. Alternatively, many churches follow the ancient English custom of using blue in Advent. Blue symbolizes heaven and is also associated with the Virgin Mary, so Advent may be seen as Mary's season and the season when heaven comes to earth.