Do Catholics call Christmastime Advent?

Answer 1

No. For the Church, the weeks leading up to Christmas is advent. The word advent means "beginning." The canonical Christmas is the weeks after Dec. 25th and ends (I think) on Jan. 6th, the Feast of the Epiphany.

That's why traditionally the Church doesn't start singing Christmas songs until Christmas day and continues for the next 12 days.

Answer 2

Advent begins on the fourth Sunday *before* the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas). This fourth Sunday *before* Christmas, known as the first Sunday in Advent, falls in late November to early December, and is considered the beginning of the liturgical year. (The Catholic Church is already in 2008!)

Particularly poignant hymns are sung and prayers recited during Late Advent, December 17-23, as our anticipation of the great feast increases. You can hear an example of a traditional Advent hymn at http://www.domcentral.org/life/17sapien.htm.

Advent ends and Christmas begins with Midnight Mass on January 24. The traditional twelve days of Christmas run until January 6, the feast of the Epiphany, when traditionally the three visitors from the East arrived in Bethlehem to give the newborn king their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Answer 3

Catholics call the 4 weeks before Christmas Advent. Literally it means coming. It is the preparation of the birth of Christ. It is celebrated by Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and some Protestant Christian denominations. It used to be marked by fasting although they have relaxed those rules in recent years.

Answer 4

Advent is the time of preparation for Christ's Mass

Answer 5

Advent is the period leading up to Christmas.

Answer 6

LOL John M. beat me to the answer.

Answer 7

There is NO SCRIPTURAL BASIS FOR ADVENT!