Say the word "Advent" and what usually comes to mind is a calendar filled with little chocolate squares counting down the days until Christmas.
But for many Christians, Advent is a sacred time of preparation and self-reflection — as well as a yearly reminder of the imminence of the Second Coming.
Advent literally means "coming" or " arrival." The word is based on the original Latin adventus, symbolizing both the original waiting for the birth of the Savior and the present waiting for his triumphant return. The song "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is actually a traditional Advent hymn that has been adopted as a Christmas carol.
Advent extends over the four Sundays preceding Christmas. Churches are often draped in purples or blues to celebrate the coming of the King.
Advent was originally supposed to be a season of fasting lasting until Christmas. The fasting rule was eventually relaxed; instead, Advent has become a time for repentance and meditation.
Though the Advent calendar has become secularized, it is still used, along with Advent wreaths and candles. Advent wreaths often include four candles, one to be lit on each of the Sundays preceding Christmas.
The Jesse Tree is also an Advent tradition. Named for the father of King David, the Jesse Tree is decorated gradually over the course of Advent. Customarily the decorations are symbols or pictures related to important figures and stories from the Bible.
Accordingly, many Christians view Advent as an appropriate time to stress the religious aspects of the Christmas season and share it with their children.
Sources: christianitytoday.com, aquinasandmore.com
e-mail: eschmuhl@desnews.com
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
Traditional Advent hymn
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.