Advent is an old word which means 'coming'. It is also is a time when Christians prepare themselves for Christmas. This just does not mean buying presents and food. Christians prepare by reading the Bible and praying, at Church and at home. They think about Jesus coming into the world, and about how He showed people the way to live their lives.

During Advent, candles are lit every week at Church. Four red candles are put into a holly ring and a white candle stands in the centre. A red candle is lit on each of the Sundays in Advent and on Christmas Day, the day when Christians celebrate Jesus' birth, the white candle is lit too.

Some Christians have an Advent candle in their homes. This is a big candle with twenty five marks down it. On each day of December, the candle is lit for about half an hour until it burns down to the next date. The candle lasts until Christmas Day.

Christians believe that Jesus brightened up the world by bringing goodness and hope.