Christians over the World are observing this period as Advent. It is the beginning of the church year for most churches in the Western tradition. Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, which is the Sunday nearest to November 30, and lasts through Christmas Eve, December 24.

The word ‘Advent’ comes from a Latin word “Adventus”, meaning arrival or coming, particularly of something having great importance or utmost significance. For denominations that celebrate Advent, it marks the beginning of the new church calendar.

However, for Eastern Orthodox churches, which use the Julian calendar, Advent begins earlier on November 15 and lasts for forty days rather than four weeks. Advent is also known as Nativity. It is primarily observed in Christian churches that follow an ecclesiastical calendar of liturgical seasons to determine feasts, memorials, fasts and holy days.

Many Christians see Advent as a way of preparing for the Christmas. Just as the Christmas season is an important part of the church year, the preparation period leading to it, is equally significant. All the same, the preparation for Christmas that the church has in mind for its members during Advent is not about buying and wrapping of presents, putting up Christmas decorations, attending parties or making travel plans.

Advent period is to prepare one’s spirit for the coming of the Christ Child, to prepare one’s heart to welcome Him when He arrives. Whichever way we look at it, Advent is a season of preparation for the great Christian festival of Christmas, when Christians prepare for celebrating the birth of Jesus by remembering the longing of the Jews for a Messiah.

Celebrating Advent typically involves a season of prayer, fasting and repentance, followed closely by anticipation, great expectations, hope and joy. Many Christians observe Advent, not only by thanking God for Christ’s first coming to Earth as a baby, but also for His presence among us today, through the Holy Spirit, and in preparation and expectation of His final coming at the end of time.

During Advent, Christians are reminded of how much they need a Saviour and look forward for His second coming, even as they prepare to celebrate His first coming at Christmas. Also, during Advent, Christians keep in mind both advents of Christ, the first in Bethlehem, and the second yet to come.

Advent may not necessarily play a role in people’s pre-Christmas consciousness but it can be a way of whetting one’s appetite for the Christmas. Christmas, for its part, celebrates the birth of Jesus. The Christian observance of Advent has a much more serious purpose. It is meant to get Christians ready, not for a present-opening party, but for a transformational celebration of the birth of Jesus.

After all said and done, Advent is the new year of the Christian Church and the church season that leads to Christmas Day. Advent is also the time when Christians remember that Jesus Christ came into the world in Palestine over 2000 years ago and that Jesus also promised one day, to return in all His glory.

During the season of Advent, Christians across the world prepare for the celebration of the arrival of the Lord into the world, through the birth of his son, Jesus Christ. Advent is a time to celebrate light in the midst of darkness.

The beginning of Advent is when the preparations for Christmas really begins. This is a period when the festive menu is planned, gifts are chosen and wrapped, festival of Nine lessons and carols organized, cards written and posted and houses duly decorated.

May this year’s Advent steer Christians on the path of moral rejuvenation and attract God’s intervention in their lives, to enable them enter the Christmas festivity with peace and the love of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. May the Joy of the Lord be our strength. Amen.

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