[img_assist|nid=145907|title=Candles – 2nd Advent – St. Mary Episcopal|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=350|height=262]Today, December 6, 2009, is the second Sunday of Advent. On this day the first and second of the four Advent candles are lighted. The first Advent candle, lit last week and relighted today, is often themed as representing HOPE. It will be joined in lighting by the second Advent candle which is often designated as representing LOVE. The candles are generally purple, representing royalty, i.e. the season of the coming of the King.

While not all churches observe Advent’s countdown to Christmas Eve, most mainline Protestant, and Catholic churches do.