Advent, a penitential season, begins on the Sunday nearest to the 30th November, and ends on Christmas Eve. During Advent, we look forward to the coming of Jesus as a baby, born in a stable in Bethlehem, the City of David, but also to the second coming of Jesus at the end of time as Saviour and Judge. See below for what we do in St Peter's.
In St. Peter's Church during Advent, we display the traditional Advent Wreath of evergreens with five candles. The four outer candles, signifying the Patriarchs; the Prophets; John the Baptist, fore-runner of Jesus Christ; and the Blessed Virgin Mary, Jesus's mother, are lit successively on each of the four Sundays in Advent. The central white candle, signifying Christ, the Light of the World, is lit at the Christmas Eve Midnight Eucharist."