The season of Advent is intended to help worshippers prepare for Christmas.The lighting of Advent candles during the four Sundays leading up to Christmas represents light in the darkness.
The practice dates back centuries, and Catholic, Episcopal and some other mainline denominations traditionally have celebrated Advent.
With the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s, many reformers rejected the practice as an unnecessary ritual of Roman Catholics.
But in recent years, more evangelical churches are joining in the celebration of Advent, said Paul Blowers, a church historian at Emmanuel School of Religion near Johnson City, Tenn.
''We've been moving more toward doing that,'' said Kristin White Burrow, minister of spiritual development at the Arlington, Texas, Rush Creek Christian Church - a congregation of the Disciples of Christ denomination.
While the church traditionally decorated with a Christmas tree and Nativity crèche, it also lights Advent candles and performs the ''hanging of the greens'' - evergreen garlands.
''It's recalling us back to old traditions and ties us to the ecumenical, which is important,'' Burrow said.
This year, Advent begins today Sunday December 2nd.
Advent traditions
* Some churches light a Christ Candle - usually a white candle, taller than the Advent candles - on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
* The candles are lighted in the circle of an Advent wreath of evergreen branches, symbolizing God's endless love.
* Three of the candles are traditionally purple, symbolizing repentance and the royalty of Christ. Other interpretations say the trio of purple candles symbolizes three comings of Christ: the Nativity, his coming into believers' hearts and the second coming after his crucifixion.
* The candle lighted on the third Sunday is traditionally rose and symbolic of joy. Other interpretations say the rose is symbolic of Mary. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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