
April's Pink Moon
The Full Moon in April is called Pink Moon, but it also has other names, like Sprouting Grass Moon, Fish Moon, Hare Moon, Egg Moon, and Paschal Moon.
Many Christian churches in Australia, particularly Catholic churches, celebrate the start of the Advent season on the First Sunday of Advent. Its length varies from 22 to 28 days, starting on the Sunday nearest St Andrew’s Day and encompassing the next three Sundays, ending on Christmas Day.
First Sunday of Advent is not a public holiday. It falls on Sunday, November 28, 2021 and most businesses follow regular Sunday opening hours in Australia.
Advent candles and wreaths are used in many Christian churches during the Advent season.
©iStockphoto.com/Jasmin Awad
Many churches in Australia mark the First Sunday of Advent as the start of the Christian year in western Christianity. It is important to note that whilst many churches in Australia that mark the First Sunday of Advent are Catholic churches, it is not an observance exclusive to Catholics. For example, churches such as the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in South Australia also mark the First Sunday of Advent and celebrate it.
Advent is a period of reflection, repentance and belief in Jesus Christ. Some churches have special musical celebrations held on the First Sunday of Advent. The church year begins in September 1 in many eastern Christian churches, so Advent starts at a different time to when it starts in the western churches. The eastern equivalent of Advent is called the Nativity Fast, which runs for 40 days.
The first Sunday of Advent is not a nationwide public holiday in Australia. However, many churches may be busy on this day, as well as those who observe the start of Advent as a time to prepare for the Christmas season.
It is uncertain as to when exactly the celebration of Advent was first introduced in the Christian church. Some sources say that Advent began on November 11 (St Martin's Day) at some time in the fifth century in the form of a six-week fast leading to Christmas. Advent was reduced to its current length at some stage in the sixth century and the fasting was later no longer observed.
Advent is originally a time to reflect and prepare for Christmas similarly to how Lent is in preparation for Easter. Advent has sometimes been referred to as the Winter Lent. The restrictions that Advent brings to Christians have become more relaxed in recent times. The term “Advent” derives from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival”. It refers to the period immediately before Christmas, during which time one might prepare for the symbolic birth of Christ each year.
Purple is historically the main color used for Advent because it reflects penitence, fasting, and the color of royalty to welcome the Advent of the king (Jesus Christ). The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his first Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his second Advent. Some churches use other colors in recent times. For example, some churches mark the third Sunday of Advent with pink or rose, colors that represent joy. Many Protestant churches use blue to distinguish the Season of Advent from Lent.
Advent wreaths are symbolic of Advent. They are usually made of fir or pine cones and decorated with gold and silver ribbons or scarlet woolen threads. Lit wreaths may be displayed on the table where family and friends sit while singing carols and preparing handmade gifts. Artificial wreaths are also popular if fir or pine cones are not available in some parts of Australia.
Year | Weekday | Date | Name | Holiday Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | Sun | Nov 27 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance |
2017 | Sun | Dec 3 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance |
2018 | Sun | Dec 2 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance |
2019 | Sun | Dec 1 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance |
2020 | Sun | Nov 29 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance |
2021 | Sun | Nov 28 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance |
2022 | Sun | Nov 27 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance |
2023 | Sun | Dec 3 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance |
2024 | Sun | Dec 1 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance |
2025 | Sun | Nov 30 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance |
2026 | Sun | Nov 29 | First Sunday of Advent | Observance |
While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. If you find an error, please let us know.
The Full Moon in April is called Pink Moon, but it also has other names, like Sprouting Grass Moon, Fish Moon, Hare Moon, Egg Moon, and Paschal Moon.
ANZAC Day is the anniversary of the landing of troops from Australia and New Zealand on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey during in World War I.
Many Orthodox Christians in Australia remember the events leading up to Jesus Christ's crucifixion on Great Friday.
Many Jewish Australians observe Lag B’Omer on the 18th day of the month of Iyar in the Jewish calendar.