When Does Advent Start?
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Mark Your Calendars, Ladies — Let the Holy Season Begin!
(And let’s say “Happy Advent” when the world says “Merry Christmas” or even “Happy Holidays!”)
Okay, sweet friends — grab your planners, your parish calendars, or that cute magnetic fridge calendar your kids keep rearranging… because Advent is coming, and depending on the year, it might come early!
Even while every billboard, commercial, and store display around us shouts, “Here comes Christmas!” — hold your ground, mama.
Now is the time to tell the story of Christ before we celebrate His Nativity. This is our sacred runway of waiting.
First Things First:
Advent always begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas,
and it always runs until the evening of December 24.
Why does the start date change every year?
Because that fourth Sunday can fall anywhere between November 27 and December 3.
Some years we get one of those beautiful early starts — which honestly, I love. More time to breathe, pray, prepare… without feeling like we blinked and suddenly Christmas Eve is here.
Why Knowing the Start Date Matters
If you’re a mom, grandmother, teacher, catechist, or anyone forming young hearts for Jesus (hi, that’s you!), planning ahead lets us enter Advent with intention, not panic.
Knowing the start date helps you:
- Set up your Advent wreath
- Print (or buy!) your Advent calendars
- Prepare your Jesse Tree ornaments
- Order candles (before every purple one disappears!)
- Gather prayer books, children’s rhymes, and devotionals
- Teach your kids what Advent really means — Happy New Liturgical Year!
- Start traditions early instead of scrambling mid-season
Even something as simple as lighting one candle and saying,
“We light this to remember that Jesus is the Light of the world,”
forms young souls in lasting ways.
And whether you’re the Pinterest-perfect mom… or the
“Where did I put the candles from last year?!” mom —
Advent welcomes you with open arms.
The First 7 Days of Advent: Jesse Tree Beginnings
Those first seven days of Advent are especially powerful. They root our children (and us!) in the full history of God’s promise of salvation. Here is a simple guide many families love using with the Jesse Tree:
- Day 1 — Creation
God creates the world in love. We begin at the very beginning.
- Day 2 — The Apple (Adam & Eve)
Humanity falls… but God never abandons His children.
- Day 3 — Noah and the Ark
God saves His people and renews His covenant.
- Day 4 — Abraham & Isaac
Faith, trust, and the promise of many descendants.
- Day 5 — The Ram (Isaac)
God provides the sacrifice and shows His mercy.
- Day 6 —Jacob’s Ladder
God’s promises stretch through generations.
- Day 7 — Joseph the Dreamer
God brings good even from hardship and betrayal.
Each ornament, each Scripture, each short rhyme plants salvation history deep into little hearts — building anticipation for the coming of the Savior.
A Gentle Encouragement
Advent isn’t about getting everything perfect.
It’s not about elaborate crafts or the fanciest wreath on Instagram.
It’s about preparing your heart —
little by little,
candle by candle,
week by week.
Let this Advent be full of grace, not pressure.
Wonder, not worry.
Rest, not rush.
A Saint’s Thought to Hold Close
“You learn to wait — not as resignation,
but as deep trust in God’s timing.”
— St. Teresa of Calcutta
Advent is coming, dear friend.
Let’s wait together in joyful hope. 💜
Frequently Asked Questions
Advent is a Christian season of anticipation and preparation before Christmas, inviting us to reflect, pray, and wait in joyful hope for Jesus’ birth and His Second Coming.
Kids can prepare their hearts for Jesus by making Jesse Tree ornaments, lighting the Advent wreath, creating a kindness calendar, setting up Advent prayer spaces, and singing Advent songs — all simple, joyful ways to teach virtue and faith.
The Advent colors are purple for preparation and royalty, rose (pink) for joy on Gaudete Sunday, and white or gold for purity, glory, and the light of Christ at Christmas.
Hi, I am Rebecca Even
CEO Of A.M.D.G. Productions LLC
Catholic author, Speaker, Songwriter but not a singer, Rebecca Even is a wife and mother with a passion for working with women especially mothers of all ages.
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