The Advent calendar in Christianity refers to the four-week period leading up to Christmas. This period begins on the Sunday closest to November 30 (St. Andrew’s Day) and ends on December 24. The advent calendar is a time to anticipate and prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas Day.
Beyond waiting for the birth of Christ
Some may know that the season of Advent focuses on waiting and is considered as a prelude to the birth of Christ. That’s part of the story, but Advent is more than that.
The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word “adventus” which means “coming” or “arriving” and is equivalent to the Greek word “parousia”. Researchers believe that in the 4th and 5th centuries in Spain and Gaul, Advent was a period of preparation for the baptism of new Christians on the Epiphany in January. The feast commemorates the incarnation of God by the magnanimous visit of Jesus (Matthew 2:1), his baptism by John the Baptist in the Jordan River (John 1:29), and his first miracle at Cana (John 2:1). During this season of preparation, Christians spend 40 days in penance, prayer and fasting to prepare for this celebration; At first there was little connection between Advent and Christmas.
However, by the 6th century, Roman Christians had linked the advent calendar to the coming of Christ. But the “coming” they had in mind was not Christ’s first coming in a manger in Bethlehem, but His second coming in the clouds as the judge of the world. The advent calendar season was not explicitly linked to the first coming of Christ at Christmas until the Middle Ages.
What is the advent calendar of the symbol?
Advent symbolizes the current state of the church in these “last days” (Acts 2:17, Hebrews 1:2), as God’s people await Christ’s glorious return to complete His eternal kingdom. The church is in the same situation as Israel at the end of the Old Testament: in exile, waiting and hoping for the coming of Christ in prayer and expectation. Israel looked to God’s past acts of favor toward them in leading them out of Egypt in the exodus, and accordingly, they again asked God to act for them. Likewise, during Advent, the Church looks forward to the coming of the Feast of Christ as she looks forward to the coming of Christ’s kingdom when he returns for his people.
In this regard, the Advent hymn “O Come, O Come, Immanuel” perfectly represents the cry of the Church during the Advent season:
Come on, come on, Emmanuel!
and save the captives of Israel,
who mourns here in solitary exile
until the Son of God appears.
Be happy! Be happy!
Immanuel will come to you, O Israel.
While Israel sang this hymn in anticipation of Christ’s first coming, the church now sings this hymn to commemorate the first coming and anticipate the second coming in the future.
Advent calendar traditions to celebrate the coming of Christmas
Advent is a season observed in many Christian traditions as a time of eager anticipation and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas. Different branches of Christianity may differ in how they observe Advent, but here are some common traditions and practices associated with this holiday season:
Advent Wreath: Lighting candles on an Advent wreath is a common practice. This wreath usually has four candles, each symbolizing one of the four weeks of Advent. Every Sunday leading up to Christmas, a new candle is lit.
Advent Calendar: Many families and churches use Advent calendars to count down the days until Christmas. These calendars often have small doors or pockets that contain a treat or a small item that opens each day in December.
Scripture Readings: Reading passages of Scripture that focus on prophecy and anticipation for the promised Messiah is a common Advent tradition. This can include readings from the Old Testament, especially from the book of Isaiah.
Prayer and reflection: Advent is a time for spiritual reflection and prayer. Many Christians use this season to prepare their hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Some churches may have special Advent prayer services or personal devotional guides for individual reflection.
Advent traditions to celebrate the coming of Christmas
Advent is a season observed in many Christian traditions as a time of eager anticipation and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas. Different branches of Christianity may differ in how they observe Advent, but here are some common traditions and practices associated with this holiday season:
Advent Wreath: Lighting candles on an Advent wreath is a common practice. This wreath usually has four candles, each symbolizing one of the four weeks of Advent. Each Sunday leading up to Christmas, a new candle is lit.
Advent Calendar: Many families and churches use Advent calendars to count down the days until Christmas. These calendars often have small doors or pockets that contain a treat or a small item that opens each day in December.
Scripture Readings: Reading passages of Scripture that focus on prophecy and anticipation for the promised Messiah is a common Advent tradition. This can include readings from the Old Testament, especially from the book of Isaiah.
Prayer and reflection: Advent is a time for spiritual reflection and prayer. Many Christians use this season to prepare their hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Some churches may have special Advent prayer services or personal devotional guides for individual reflection.
Today in the article : What Is Advent? The History, Meaning and Traditions We reviewed useful information about the Bible and the way of Jesus. If you wish, you can view other articles of Ali Vahidi about Christianity
