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About Celtic Advent

Posted on by Andrew Blair

Advent

Second Advent Decorated Advent Wreath From Fir Branches With Red Burning Candles On A Wooden Table In The Time Before Christmas Festive Bokeh In The Warm Dark Background Copy Space Selected Focus High-Res Stock Photo – Getty Images

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Celtic Christians have a unique way of observing Advent, the period leading up to Christmas. Unlike the Western church, which begins Advent 4 Sundays before Christmas Day, Celtic Christians start their Advent on the evening of November 15th, which is 40 days before Christmas Day1, 2.

This practice of observing 40 days of Advent is seen as a preparation for the Lord’s Nativity, mirroring the 40 days of Lent2. The Celtic tradition involves prayer and fasting for 40 days in preparation for any major life event, including the celebration of Christmas1.

The Celtic Advent is not a passive waiting period but rather an active, soul-searching, and prayerful season1. It’s a time to set one’s heart in the right direction, focusing on the coming of Christ1. This period of preparation begins before the consumerism of the holiday season ramps up, allowing individuals to focus on what matters most1.

Christmas is then celebrated as a 12-day event, beginning on Christmas Day and culminating in the celebration of the Eve of Epiphany, which commemorates the coming of the Magi1.

Overall, the Celtic Advent is a time of spiritual preparation and anticipation, offering a unique perspective on the Advent season1.

1 godspacelight.com 2contemplativecottage.com 3faithandworship.com 4contemplativecottage.com 5gettyimages.com

  1. Godspacelight.com. (2023). Observing Celtic Advent & Liturgical Time. Available at: https://godspacelight.com (Accessed: 10 December 2023).
  2. Contemplativecottage.com. (2023). Observing Celtic Advent & Liturgical Time – The Contemplative Cottage. Available at: https://contemplativecottage.com (Accessed: 10 December 2023).
  3. Faithandworship.com. (2023). Christian Prayers | Liturgy | Advent – Celtic Available at: https://faithandworship.com (Accessed: 10 December 2023).
  4. Contemplativecottage.com. (2023). Celtic Advent: 40 Days of Joy—The Contemplative Cottage. Available at: https://contemplativecottage.com (Accessed: 10 December 2023).
  5. Gettyimages.com. (2023).Second Advent Decorated Advent Wreath. Available at: https://gettyimages.com (Accessed: 10 December 2023).