Why is the season before Christmas called Advent?
The word advent literally means The coming or arrival, especially of something extremely important. In the Christian Church the important event is both the Incarnation (birth) and the Second Coming of Jesus. It is the season which begins the Churchs year when we look forward to the coming of God to earth in the birth of Jesus, at Christmas. Although, in more recent times there has also been a greater emphasis upon the “Second Coming” of Christ at the end of the world as we know it. This for Christians (and the whole world even though it may not be recognised) is an “extremely important event”. Advent is a penitential season just like Lent (a time when we say sorry to God for past wrongs against him and those around us, and resolve to live better lives). Its a time when Christians can explore their faith through the many books that are now being written for the Advent season; e.g. “Jesus in the Third Millennium” by Rob Frost; “A Feast for Advent” Delia Smith; “On the way to Bethlehem” b
