Since the sixth century, the season of Advent has been set aside as a time of preparation for Christ’s coming. The word Advent is Latin for “coming towards” (“ad” meaning towards and “vent” meaning “to come.”) Most Christians around the world observe four Sundays of Advent. Counting four Sundays back from Christmas Day determines the date of the first Sunday of Advent. Traditionally, churches light one candle each Sunday on their Advent wreath. The candles represent hope, faith, joy, and peace, respectively. This is sometimes followed by lighting the fifth candle ...

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