Advent 2026: Dates, Meaning and Family Prayers
The Catholic Year
The First Sunday of Advent in 2026 is 29 November. Christmas Day is Friday, 25 December. Advent invites Christians to prepare for the celebration of Christ’s birth and to renew their hope in his coming again.
| Sunday | Date in 2026 | A simple family focus |
|---|---|---|
| First Sunday | 29 November | Make room for prayer |
| Second Sunday | 6 December | Seek peace and reconciliation |
| Third Sunday: Gaudete Sunday | 13 December | Notice and share joy |
| Fourth Sunday | 20 December | Welcome Christ with Mary |
Liturgically, Advent begins with First Vespers on the evening before the First Sunday, 28 November, and ends before the evening celebration of Christmas on 24 December. The family focuses above are suggestions, not official names assigned to the four Sundays.
A simple Advent wreath practice
Many households light one additional candle each Sunday. Purple is customary for three candles and rose for the third Sunday; a wreath is a devotional custom, not a requirement for observing Advent. Use a stable holder, supervise flames, and choose battery candles where appropriate.
Four short original family prayers
- Week 1: Lord Jesus, help us make room for You. Give us attention for prayer and for the people beside us. Amen.
- Week 2: Prince of Peace, heal our harsh words and teach us to put things right where we can. Amen.
- Week 3: Lord Jesus, renew our joy. Help us notice Your gifts and share them with someone who is lonely. Amen.
- Week 4: Emmanuel, God with us, prepare our hearts to welcome You. Teach us Mary’s trust and generous love. Amen.
A manageable weekly rhythm
Choose one brief time to gather, read a Gospel passage, pray and name one act of kindness for the week. If the household misses a day, resume without trying to catch up every activity. A quieter Advent can be more sustainable than a crowded checklist.
Suggested Scripture readings at home
Read Luke 1:26–38, Luke 1:39–56, Matthew 1:18–25 and Luke 2:1–20 across the season. These are a suggested home-reading sequence, not the official Sunday lectionary assignments.
Pray the Rosary with the Joyful Mysteries · See the Catholic calendar for 2027
Sources and further reading
Prepared by Catholic Repository. Sources checked 12 September 2026. A lay educational resource, not an official Church publication.