What is Advent? Here's everything you need to know

Advent is an important part of the Christian calendar which involves many customs including burning candles and attending carol services like this one.

It's December and the build up to Christmas is underway!

Your advent calendar might be hanging in the kitchen or on the back of your bedroom door. Just WAITING to be opened.

But Advent is far more than just ripping open tiny cardboard doors to get a sneaky mini chocolate before you go off to school.

So hold back on the chocolate folks and find out more below...

A traditional advent wreath, complete with candles, shooting star and a depiction of the Nativity - the birth of Jesus.

What is Advent?

Advent is an important part of the Christian calendar.

It means 'coming' and it's the period before Christmas which celebrates the birth of Jesus.

It is all about preparing for Christmas Day. Advent starts on the Sunday nearest to 30 November - four weekend's before Christmas.

So in 2022, it actually started on Sunday 27 November and will be observed until Friday 24 December.

Why do people celebrate?

Christianity focuses on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe to be the Son of God.

Christmas celebrates Jesus' birth - so the Advent period reminds Christians to remember and prepare for those celebrations. Services will take place in church, carols will be sung and Nativity plays and Christmas shows will be performed in schools across the UK.

A seasonal Advent calendar for the countdown for Christmas depicts the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem

Why do people have advent calendars?

Many Advent customs involve counting down the days until Christmas begins.

Some churches have an advent wreath with five candles, one for each of the four Sunday's leading up to Christmas Day and one for Christmas Day itself.

Sometimes Christians will have their own Advent candle which they'll burn at home. This burns down gradually as each day passes toward the big day itself.

Many people who aren't Christians also look ahead to Christmas by having an advent calendar.

They often have a chocolate for each day in December until the 25th, Christmas Day.

Advent calendars traditionally would have images that show the story of the Nativity, as most still do. But now many can be bought that have pretty much anything from cheese to jewellery hidden behind each door!

How much do you know about Advent? Test yourself with our quiz.