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===Candles and calendars===
===Candles and calendars===
[[Image:Advent_candles.jpg|thumb|Many churches make use of [[Advent wreath]]s during this season, with one candle representing each of the four Sundays precetding Christmas. The pink candle is lit on the Sunday before Christmas. During Christmas Day, four lit white candles are used.]]
Advent in the Christian sense refers to the four weeks before Christmas. The four Sundays of Advent are often traditionally celebrated with four [[candle]]s with one to be lit each Sunday. Each candle has a specific meaning associated with different aspects of the Advent story. The first one almost always symbolizes expectant [[hope]] and is sometimes associated with [[prophecy]]. The others are organized around characters or themes as a way to unfold the story and direct attention to the celebrations and worship in the season, such as [[Peace]], [[Love]], [[Joy]]. The third (and sometimes fourth) is generally symbolic of [[Joy]] at the imminence of the coming of Christ. A fifth, white or gold, candle -- called a "Christ Candle" -- is often lit in the center on [[Christmas Eve]] and/or [[Christmas Day]] to signify Christ's birth.<ref>[http://www.bibleresourcecenter.org/vsItemDisplay.dsp&objectID=E2406E66-96D6-42BE-88C3F7AF9E0B8C48&method=display Bible Resource Center: The Advent Wreath]</ref>
Advent in the Christian sense refers to the four weeks before Christmas. The four Sundays of Advent are often traditionally celebrated with four [[candle]]s with one to be lit each Sunday. Each candle has a specific meaning associated with different aspects of the Advent story. The first one almost always symbolizes expectant [[hope]] and is sometimes associated with [[prophecy]]. The others are organized around characters or themes as a way to unfold the story and direct attention to the celebrations and worship in the season, such as [[Peace]], [[Love]], [[Joy]]. The third (and sometimes fourth) is generally symbolic of [[Joy]] at the imminence of the coming of Christ. A fifth, white or gold, candle -- called a "Christ Candle" -- is often lit in the center on [[Christmas Eve]] and/or [[Christmas Day]] to signify Christ's birth.<ref>[http://www.bibleresourcecenter.org/vsItemDisplay.dsp&objectID=E2406E66-96D6-42BE-88C3F7AF9E0B8C48&method=display Bible Resource Center: The Advent Wreath]</ref>