Advent has a two fold nature: it prepares us for Christmas when we recall Christ’s first coming among us, and it is also a time when we look forward to His second coming at the end of the ages. Advent is a season of joyful expectation.
Like many Church practices, the origin of Advent is clouded by of time. However, most research indicates that it began as a penitential season in preparation for the Epiphany. The word “advent” comes from the Latin “adventus” which means “coming”. One old tradition states that there are four weeks in Advent because there are four comings of Christ - as a man at Bethlehem, in the human heart, at our death and at the Last Day.
Beginning and end, memory and hope, life is a continuing cycle. This is the message of Advent - the continuing possibility of renewal, of building our lives.
Renewing and improving ourselves makes a tremendous Christmas present for loved one and ourselves.