Introduction
Advent, from the Latin adventus (coming, arrival), is the season of the four Sundays before Christmas. It prepares us to celebrate the coming of Jesus in Bethlehem and to wait for his return. In 2026, it begins on Sunday, November 29 and lasts until Thursday, December 24, the eve of Christmas.
Every year, Advent opens the road to Christmas. Some know it through the wreath with four candles or the children's Advent calendar, while others have never heard of it in their church. This page explains the word, gives the dates of Advent 2026, recalls what the Bible says about waiting, and suggests a Bible reading for each of the four Sundays.
What Does the Word Advent Mean, and How Is It Different From Christmas?
Advent comes from the Latin adventus, which means coming or arrival. The word refers to the season of preparation before Christmas. It invites us to look in two directions: toward Bethlehem, where Jesus was born, and toward the future, when Jesus will return. Advent is therefore not only a countdown before the presents: it is a time to remember why Jesus came.
The difference from Christmas is simple. Advent is the season of waiting, spread over four Sundays. Christmas, on December 25, is the day when the birth of Jesus is celebrated. One can say that Advent is the road and Christmas is the arrival. The two go together, because a celebration is better savored when we have prepared for it.
What Are the Dates of Advent 2026?
In 2026, the first Sunday of Advent falls on November 29. The next three are Sundays December 6, 13 and 20. Advent lasts until Thursday, December 24, and Christmas falls on a Friday, December 25. The fourth Sunday, December 20, therefore leaves a few days for last preparations before the celebration.
To help you remember: 1st Sunday, November 29; 2nd Sunday, December 6; 3rd Sunday, December 13; 4th Sunday, December 20. You can note these four dates in your calendar right now, for yourself, your family or your home group.
What Does the Bible Say About Waiting?
The word Advent is not in the Bible: it is a tradition of the Church. But waiting runs through all of Scripture. The people of Israel waited for the Messiah, the Savior promised by God, and Christians wait for the return of Jesus. Two verses from the New Testament sum up this hope.
Titus 2:13
"looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,"
Paul writes to Titus, a church leader in Crete, that the grace of God teaches us to live well, “looking for the blessed hope”. The Christian's waiting is not passive: it shapes how he lives today, while hoping for the glory of Jesus Christ. Read all of Titus 2.
Revelation 22:20
"He who testifies these things says, “Yes, I come quickly.” Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus."
These are almost the last words of the Bible. Jesus promises: “Yes, I come quickly.” The Church answers with a prayer: “Yes, come, Lord Jesus.” Advent takes up this prayer, remembering the first coming of Jesus in order to long for his second. Read all of Revelation 22.
Which Bible Readings for the Four Sundays?
Here are one or two readings for each Sunday, with a theme that many churches use. You can read them alone, as a family or aloud at the service. Each reading is short, so it fits in a few minutes even in a busy week. For other readings focused on the feast itself, the page on Christmas verses complements this one.
Isaiah 9:2
"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. The light has shined on those who lived in the land of the shadow of death."
1st Sunday, hope: Isaiah speaks to a people who walk in darkness, between fear and threats. God announces a great light. Light the first candle while thinking about what you are waiting for from God, even when the night seems long. Read all of Isaiah 9.
Isaiah 40:3
"The voice of one who calls out, “Prepare the way of Yahweh in the wilderness! Make a level highway in the desert for our God."
2nd Sunday, preparation: a voice calls out to prepare the way of Yahweh in the desert. The Gospels recognize John the Baptist in this voice, the one who announces Jesus. Ask yourself what should be made level in your life, your family or your church to welcome him. Read all of Isaiah 40.
Malachi 3:1
"Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me; and the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, behold, he comes!” says Yahweh of Armies."
2nd Sunday, preparation: God promises to send a messenger before him, and then to come himself. It is one of the last announcements of the Old Testament, and it reminds us that the Lord is coming and that it is worth staying ready. Read all of Malachi 3.
Luke 1:46-47
"Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord. My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior,"
3rd Sunday, joy: after the angel's announcement, Mary sings her praise at the home of her relative Elizabeth. She rejoices in God, her Savior, even before having understood everything. This joy does not depend on circumstances; it rests on what God has done. Read all of Luke 1.
Luke 1:30-33
"The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and shall name him ‘Jesus.’ He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom."
4th Sunday, fulfillment: the angel reassures Mary and announces a son who will be named Jesus, heir to the throne of David, whose reign will have no end. What God had promised comes to pass in an unexpected way, through an ordinary young woman. Read all of Luke 1.
Galatians 4:4
"But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law,"
4th Sunday, fulfillment: Paul sums up the birth of Jesus in one sentence. God chose the right moment, when “the fullness of the time came”, to send his Son. You can trust him with his timing, even when the wait seems long. Read all of Galatians 4.
The Advent Wreath and Advent Calendar: What to Think of These Traditions?
The Advent wreath is a circle of foliage decorated with four candles, and one more is lit each Sunday until Christmas. The meaning of the candles varies from church to church: hope, peace, joy and love are often found, but the order and the names are not the same everywhere.
The Advent calendar counts the days from December 1 to 24, with a door to open each morning. Neither the wreath nor the calendar is in the Bible. These are useful traditions when they help us think about Jesus; they are not imposed on anyone, and no one has reason to condemn them.
How to Live Advent as a Family and at Church?
Choose a daily reading. One verse a day, read at the table or before the children go to bed, is enough. You can follow the readings on this page each Sunday, then come back to a verse during the week to let it sink in. What matters is consistency, not length.
Set aside time for prayer. A minute of silence, a lit candle, a simple prayer asking God to prepare your heart. Pray also for those going through a difficult Christmas: grief, loneliness, illness, separation. A short prayer, said with sincerity, is worth more than a long speech.
Cultivate generosity. Advent is a good time to give: a meal prepared for a neighbor, a visit, a donation to an association, a gift for a family in need. Giving helps keep the focus on what is essential. Each person gives according to their means, without comparison.
Invite someone to the Christmas service. During these weeks, think of a person who does not yet know Jesus. A simple invitation, without pressure, can be the beginning of a beautiful encounter, and your church will be glad to welcome them. Do not try to convince; let the celebration speak for itself.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
When Does Advent Begin in 2026?
In 2026, Advent begins on Sunday, November 29. The other three Sundays are December 6, 13 and 20. The season of Advent runs until Thursday, December 24, and Christmas falls on a Friday, December 25. The children's Advent calendar, for its part, runs from December 1 to 24.
What Does the Word Advent Mean?
Advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning coming or arrival. The word refers to the season of preparation before Christmas. It recalls the first coming of Jesus in Bethlehem and the waiting for his return. The word itself is not in the Bible; it is a tradition of the Church.
What Is the Difference Between Advent and Christmas?
Advent is the season of preparation, spread over the four Sundays before Christmas. Christmas is the feast of the birth of Jesus, celebrated on December 25. We enter Advent to wait, pray and prepare, then we celebrate Christmas with joy, with family and at church.
What Do the Four Candles of the Advent Wreath Represent?
Depending on the church, the four candles often represent hope, peace, joy and love. Others follow the stages of salvation history or the figures of the Nativity. There is no single rule: what matters is that the candles lead to Jesus, the light of the world.