Advent is a period of spiritual preparations in which many Christians make themselves ready for the coming or the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, at Christmas. Advent begins on the fourth Sunday prior to Christmas Day, or the Sunday which falls closest to November 30, and lasts through Christmas Eve, or December 24. However, if Christmas day falls on Sunday, it is counted as fourth Sunday of Advent.
Advent is a season of prayers, fasting and repentance, followed closely by anticipation, great expectations, hope and joy. Many Christians celebrate 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 anticipation of His final coming at the end of time.
The word advent comes from the Latin word, adventus, meaning arrival or coming, particularly of something having great importance or utmost significance. Advent is also known as Nativity. For denominations that celebrate Advent, it marks the beginning of the Church calendar year.
However, for Eastern orthodox churches which use the Julian calendar, Advent begins earlier, on November 15, and lasts forty days rather than four weeks. Advent is primarily observed in Christian Churches that follow ecclesiastical calendar of liturgical seasons to determine feasts, memorials, fasts and holy days.
Many Christians celebrate Advent as a way of preparing for the Christmas. Just as the Christmas season is an important part of the church calendar, the preparation period leading to it, is equally significant. However, the preparation for Christmas that the church has in mind for its members during Advent is not about buying and wrapping 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.
Christians prepare for celebrating the birth of Jesus by remembering the longing of the Jews for a Messiah. In advent, for instance, Christians are reminded of how much they need a savior and look forward for His second coming, even as they prepare to celebrate his first coming at Christmas. Also, during the 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 for the celebration of the birth of Jesus.
No doubt, 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 came into the world in Palestine over 2,000 years ago and that Jesus also promised one day, to return in His glory.
It is expected that Christians should use this period of Advent to pray for the Church and Nation in distress, their various families, those in leadership positions and even their enemies and love them. Advent is a time to celebrate light in the midst of darkness. Advent is when the festive menu is planned, gifts are chosen and wrapped, while festival of nine lessons and Carol are observed, cards written and posted and houses duly decorated.
May this year’s advent steer Christians on the path of moral rectitude and attract God’s intervention in their lives, to enable them enter the Christmas festivity with joy, great expectations, peace and the love of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. May the peace of the lord which passes all human understanding be with us now and forever more, Amen.
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