Advent begins on the Sunday that falls between November 27th and December 3rd each year.
In churches as well as Catholic homes the main decoration for the next four weeks is the Advent wreath (not the Christmas tree). The wreath is made of various evergreens-laurel,pine,holly and yew and decorated with pine cones,nuts and seedpods. The circle of the wreath has no beginning or end symbolizing the eternity of God.
Four candles are placed in the middle of the wreath to represent the four weeks of Advent. Three of those candles are purple and one is pink and they are lit, one at a time, on each of the four Sundays of the Advent season.
On the first Sunday of Advent, the first purple candle is lit. This candle represents hope and is called the "Prophecy Candle".
On the second Sunday of Advent, the second purple candle known as Bethlehem Candle is lit.This candle represents love.
On the third Sunday of Advent known as Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday, the pink candle is lit. This pink candle is called the "Shepherds Candle" and it represents joy.
The fourth and last purple candle which marks the final week of Advent, is called the "Angels Candle," and it represents peace.
Advent ends on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day marks the beginning of the Christmas season until the 12th day after Christmas.
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