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Advent is seen as a time to prepare one’s heart for Christmas and for the eventual return of Christ (and the judgment He will bring to the world). Churches that observe Advent usually decorate their sanctuaries in the liturgical color of Advent, purple (or in some cases royal blue).
In Christianity, Advent refers to the period of four weeks leading up to Christmas. It begins on the Sunday closest to November 30 (St. Andrew's Day) and ends on December 24. It is a time of anticipation and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas Day.
Advent is a four-week season in the Church calendar dedicated to anticipating the arrival, or "advent," of Jesus of Nazareth, the long-awaited Messiah and King. Christians from many backgrounds celebrate this time with reflections on hope, peace, love, and joy.
In summary, the biblical meaning of advent calls us to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Jesus. It is a time of expectation and celebration as we remember the incredible gift of salvation that God has given us through His Son.
What Does "Advent" Mean? Derived from the Latin word adventus, the term advent signifies a sense of "coming" or "arrival," reflecting a feeling of anticipation. For some Christian denominations, it marks the beginning of the Christian liturgical year. Some may choose to recognize Advent by lighting candles on an Advent wreath.
Within a few centuries of church history, both Easter and Christmas took on special meaning due to their use in commemorating the life of Jesus. In the early centuries of the church, Advent almost certainly arose as a result of the fixed dating of Christmas.
During Advent, many churches look at the biblical stories which precede the birth of Christ. They look at the Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah, the birth of John the Baptist who prepared the way, and then look at the birth of Jesus.