The Leadup to Christmas followedBy the 12 Days of Christmas

Advent Dates 2016

• November 27 - First Sunday of Advent (first purple candle of the Advent Wreath is lit)
• December 4 - Second Sunday of Advent (first and second purple candles of the Advent Wreath are lit)
• December 11 - Third Sunday of Advent (first and second purple candles plus the pink candle of the Advent Wreath is lit)
  
• December 18 - Fourth Sunday of Advent (all candles of the Advent Wreath are lit in the same order as in previous Sundays)
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• December 24 - The Christ Candle is inserted in the center of the Advent Wreath and lit representing the end of the preparation/wait and the arrival of the birth and the anticipation of the "second coming."

In Western Christianity, Advent begins on the fourth Sunday prior to Christmas Day, or the Sunday which falls closest to November 30, and lasts until midnight Christmas Eve (December 24). When Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday, it is the last, or fourth Sunday of Advent. Christmas Day is "The First Day of Christmas" in the series of 12 ending on January 6 which is the 12th Day of Christmas and is marked by the traditional arrival of the Wise Men (astrologers) in Bethlehem, having been led by "the Star of the East." The arrival of the Magi (astrologers) is known as the "Epiphany" or delivery of the good news of the birth of Christ to the Gentile world. In the Hispanic tradition, Epiphany is celebrated as the "Three Kings Day" on which gifts are exchanged.