Today in many churches we light the first candle on the Advent wreath.

It’s not Christmas yet and the wreath with its four candles reminds us that there are four Sundays before we celebrate Christ’s birth.

Vestments today are purple except in Salisbury where they are blue by ancient tradition.

Our church service is less joyful than last week, no gloria for example, but reflective will special hymns as we think about Christ coming again.

Tonight there will be more Advent carol services in cathedrals to mark the start of this season.