Advent
The word advent is from a Latin term adventus which means “arrival” or “coming.”
Advent is the present state of the church in these “last days” as we await the return of Christ. The church is looking forward and expectantly waiting for Christ’s return. As we are expectant and hopeful for the return of Jesus one day, the Advent season also marks the four weeks leading up to Christmas. During this time, we are focusing on celebrating the birth of the baby that came to save us all. We celebrate the one and only Savior that came to earth as a baby, lived a sinless life to eventually die a sacrificial death on a cross.
There are four weeks of Advent and each week is divided into a scripture theme. The first week is Hope, the second is Peace, the third is Joy and the last week is Love.
I grew up in a church that would have an Advent wreath tradition during this time of year. They would ask various families to come up to the front of the church each week and light a candle and read an Advent reading for that particular week. It was a good way to focus our hearts and minds on the Advent theme for the week.