Advent is one of the oldest and most meaningful seasons in the Christian calendar, yet it is often overlooked or misunderstood in modern life. In the midst of holiday busyness, Advent invites the Church to slow down, wait, and prepare—not just for Christmas, but for Christ Himself.
The Meaning of Advent
The word Advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival.” Advent is the season that marks the four weeks leading up to Christmas, traditionally beginning on the fourth Sunday before December 25.
Advent focuses on two connected realities:
The first coming of Christ — Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem
The promised return of Christ — when He will come again to renew all things
Rather than rushing ahead to celebration, Advent teaches us to live in faithful expectation, holding both hope and longing together.
The History of Advent
Advent has been observed in the Church since at least the 4th and 5th centuries. Early Christians created this season as a time of spiritual preparation, similar in tone to Lent.
Historically, Advent included:
Prayer and Scripture reading
Reflection and repentance
In some traditions, fasting or simplicity
While practices varied across regions, the heart of Advent was consistent: preparing the soul for Christ’s coming.
Over time, the Church developed the familiar Advent themes often reflected in weekly candles:
Hope
Peace
Joy
Love
These themes reflect both Israel’s longing for the Messiah and the Church’s ongoing hope in God’s redemptive promises.
Advent as a Season of Waiting
Waiting is not something modern culture values. We prefer instant results, quick answers, and immediate gratification. Advent gently pushes back against this impulse.
In Scripture, waiting is often where God does His deepest work:
Israel waited for deliverance
The prophets waited for fulfillment
Mary waited in trust and obedience
The Church waits for Christ’s return
Advent reminds us that waiting is not wasted time—it is formative time. It shapes our faith, deepens our trust, and reorients our hearts toward God.
Why Christians Should Observe Advent Today
In a culture that begins celebrating Christmas earlier every year, Advent offers a countercultural gift. It creates space for reflection before celebration and depth before joy.
Observing Advent today helps Christians:
Slow down in a hurried season
Remember the story of God’s faithfulness
Prepare their hearts, not just their homes
Hold space for both hope and longing
Anchor Christmas in worship, not consumption
Advent reminds us that the world is not yet as it should be—and that Christ has come, and will come again.
Advent and the Christmas Story
Advent places Christmas back into its full biblical story. Jesus is not simply a baby in a manger; He is the long-awaited Savior, the fulfillment of God’s promises, and the light entering a dark world.
By observing Advent, Christians learn to approach Christmas with renewed wonder and deeper gratitude—not just celebrating what God has done, but trusting what He is still doing.
Living Advent Today
Advent does not require elaborate traditions to be meaningful. It can be observed through:
Weekly worship and reflection
Lighting Advent candles
Reading Scripture together
Practicing prayer, generosity, and attentiveness
Creating intentional moments of quiet and expectation
At its core, Advent is about making room—for Christ in our lives, our worship, and our hearts.
A Season Worth Recovering
Advent teaches us that hope grows in waiting and that God is faithful in the silence. As the Church has done for centuries, we prepare not by rushing ahead, but by paying attention—trusting that the One we wait for is already at work.
In observing Advent, Christians join a long and faithful story of hope, anticipation, and promise—one that leads us, again and again, to the light of Christ.
Join us for a special Advent Service on Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 10:30am