Advent: Counting Down to Christmas
- Nadia Renata
- Dec 2, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
The festive season is here and with it comes the beautiful tradition of Advent, a time of anticipation, reflection and joy as we count down the days to Christmas. For many, Advent is more than a calendar filled with chocolates or small gifts; it’s a season steeped in meaning, history, and heartwarming traditions that bring families and communities closer together, as the year winds down.
What is Advent?
Advent, derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning "coming" or "arrival," marks the beginning of the Christian liturgical year. It is a four-week period leading up to Christmas, starting on the Sunday nearest to November 30th. Traditionally, it is a time of preparing the heart, reflecting on faith, slowing down and waiting with expectancy for the celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth.
Each week centres on one of four themes symbolised by the candles of the Advent wreath: hope, love, joy and peace.
But Advent isn’t only for the deeply religious. Its essence: pausing, reconnecting and finding a little light in a busy world is something anyone can embrace. In a season where life often feels hurried, Advent becomes an invitation to breathe.
The Advent Wreath: A Symbol of the Season
One of the most recognisable symbols of the season, the Advent wreath, carries a quiet beauty. Its evergreen branches represent life that endures, even in difficult seasons. The four candles, three purple and one pink, mark each week of the countdown.
Week 1: The first candle, purple, symbolises hope.
Week 2: The second purple candle represents love.
Week 3: The pink candle stands for joy, often called the "Shepherd's Candle."
Week 4: The final purple candle signifies peace.
Lighting one candle each week creates a gradual build-up to Christmas, with the warm glow of the wreath symbolising the light of Christ coming into the world.
Modern Advent Traditions
While traditional practices remain cherished, Advent has also evolved to include modern customs that families, individuals and communities can shape in their own way.
Here are a few ways people countdown to Christmas today:
Advent Calendars: From simple paper calendars with daily Bible verses to elaborate versions filled with chocolates, teas, mini gifts, daily prompts or activities, Advent calendars have become a fun way to mark each day. You can even make your own DIY version, tailoring it to your family’s interests.
Daily Acts of Kindness: Some people use Advent to give back, dedicating each day to an act of kindness. This could involve donating to charity, baking for neighbours or simply sharing a heartfelt compliment.
Advent Jar: Write down one thing you’re grateful for every day leading up to Christmas and place it in a jar. On Christmas Day, read them aloud as a family or reflect on your blessings alone.
Music and Storytelling: Advent is the perfect time to embrace Christmas carols and revisit timeless stories like A Christmas Carol. For families in Trinidad and Tobago, the unmistakable sweetness of parang drifting through communities and homes.
Advent in Trinidad and Tobago
Here in Trinidad and Tobago, Advent takes on a uniquely Caribbean flavour. While churches mark the spiritual observance, the whole country feels alive. You hear parang long before you see a Christmas tree. Black cake batter “rests” in kitchens. Pastelles become weekend projects. Curtains change, homes repaint and neighbourhoods sparkle with lights and Nativity scenes.
“Midnight Mass” or Christmas Eve services offer a moment of stillness, while Christmas markets, parang limes, and food preparations keep the community buzzing.
Advent here is faith, yes but also family, culture, memory and the comfort of traditions passed down from generation to generation. This is the magic of a Trini Christmas - a season where faith, culture, music, food and togetherness blend so naturally that everyone, regardless of belief, feels the shift in the air.
How to Make Your Advent Meaningful
Whether you celebrate Advent traditionally or with your own twist, it’s a wonderful opportunity to slow down amidst the holiday rush.
Here are a few ways to make the season truly special:
Set Intentions: Use the four themes of hope, love, joy and peace as weekly guides. Reflect on what they mean to you and how you can embody them in your daily life.
Unplug and Reconnect: Dedicate time to unplugging from technology and connecting with family and friends through conversations, games, or shared meals.
Plan for Gratitude: Incorporate gratitude practices into your routine, like journalling or saying a daily prayer of thanks.
These small acts ground the season and shift it from rushed to intentional.
A Moment to Reflect:
Before the days speed past, pause and ask yourself: “What do I want this Advent to mean for me and what small ritual can bring me hope, love, joy or peace this season?”
Let that reflection guide your pace over the next few weeks.
Counting Down with Heart
Advent is more than a countdown; it’s a journey. It’s a time to prepare, reflect and celebrate not just the upcoming holiday but also the beauty of life, family and faith. Whether you light candles, sing carols or share stories with loved ones, Advent invites us all to embrace the season’s deeper meaning and spread its warmth to those around us.
So as you open that next window on your Advent calendar or light another candle on your wreath, remember to pause and savour the moments of joy, anticipation and connection that make this season magical.
Merry countdown to Christmas! 🎄
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