Advent

The Christian Year begins in December with the season of Advent, four Sundays before Christmas as a time of preparation.

An Advent Wreath is used – a ring of four red or purple candles in a ring around a white or gold candle. On each Sunday of Advent a candle from the ring is lit, and the central candle is lit on Christmas Day.

• Advent's 1st Sunday (Purple Candle) - Prophet's Candle, symbolising Hope that Jesus is Coming
   
• Advent's 2nd Sunday (Purple Candle)- Bethlehem's Candle, Symbolising Faith of Mary & Joseph
   
• Advent's 3rd Sunday (Pink Candle) - Shepherd's Candle, Symbolising Joy of Jesus' Birth
   
• Advent's 4th Sunday (Purple Candle) - Angel's Candle, Symbolising the Message of the Angels
   
• Christmas Eve (White Candle) - Christ Candle, Symbolising the birth of Jesus Christ.
   

St Nicholas Day falls within Advent.

Christingle is held in the period of Advent through to Candlemas.

A Crib Service is held on Christmas Eve and a Holy Communion Service is held at midnight.

Christmas Day begins forty days of rejoicing at the birth of Christ. The crib remains in place throughout January, until Candlemas.