Advent
Advent marks the start of the Church’s year, and begins this year on Sunday 1 December. It is a season of expectation and preparation, as we prepare to celebrate the coming of Christ in his incarnation at Christmas, as well as looking forward to his final coming as judge at the end of time. More information about Advent and details of events taking place can be found here.
Christmas
Christmas begins on 25 December, although you might think from a walk down the High Street that it ends then! Indeed, we do begin celebrations before that with a variety of events, including carol services, but the traditional twelve days of Christmas end with Epiphany (6 January, but celebrated on Sunday 5 January). The Christmas season however actually lasts a full forty days, ending with the Feast of the Presentation (Candlemas) on Sunday 2 February.
Click on Advent below for more details, and follow the season through Christmas and Epiphany to Candlemas.