Advent

Definition

Advent is the period of preparation and anticipation leading up to Christmas, traditionally observed in many Christian denominations. This season begins four Sundays before Christmas and lasts until Christmas Eve, symbolizing a time of waiting for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Advent encompasses both a liturgical focus on the nativity and a call to reflect on themes of hope, peace, joy, and love, often through specific practices and rituals.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Advent typically lasts for four weeks, with each week focusing on different themes associated with hope, peace, joy, and love.
2. The color purple is commonly used during Advent in liturgical settings, symbolizing penitence and preparation.
3. Many churches incorporate special services and rituals during Advent, including lighting candles on an Advent wreath to mark each week.
4. The Advent season serves not only as preparation for Christmas but also as a reminder of the second coming of Christ.
5. In some traditions, Advent calendars are used to count down the days until Christmas, often featuring daily scripture readings or small treats.

Review Questions

• How does Advent function within the broader context of the liturgical calendar?
  • Advent marks the beginning of the liturgical year in many Christian traditions, serving as a season of preparation leading up to Christmas. It sets the tone for reflecting on both the nativity and the anticipated return of Christ. The themes explored during Advent—hope, peace, joy, and love—align with the overall purpose of the liturgical calendar, which is to guide believers through key events in the life of Jesus and their significance.
• Discuss how Advent practices, such as the use of an Advent wreath, contribute to communal worship and personal reflection.
  • The use of an Advent wreath in communal worship creates a visual and experiential marker of the season's progression. Each candle lit represents a specific theme related to the spiritual preparation for Christmas. This practice fosters a sense of community as congregations gather each week to participate in these rituals while also encouraging individual reflection on one's own spiritual journey during this period.
• Evaluate the theological significance of Advent in relation to the concepts of hope and anticipation within Christian belief.
  • Advent is profoundly significant in its emphasis on hope and anticipation, as it invites believers to engage in a period of waiting that mirrors their spiritual longing for Christ. The season encourages Christians to reflect not only on the historical birth of Jesus but also on their present faith and future hope in His return. This dual focus strengthens believers' connection to their faith, emphasizing God's promise and inviting them to cultivate a deeper relationship with Him as they prepare for both Christmas and His eventual second coming.

Related terms

Liturgical Calendar: The annual cycle of seasons and celebrations observed in the Christian tradition, marking events such as Advent, Lent, and Easter.

Advent Wreath: A circular arrangement of evergreen branches with four candles representing the four Sundays of Advent, used to mark the progression through the season.

Incarnation: The theological belief that God became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ, central to the celebration of Christmas and reflected upon during Advent.