What is Advent?

     For many people Advent is an unknown. It is a word, but there is no tradition and no meaning other than knowing this word is attached to Christmas. To a person without Advent, Christmas is simply a tradition and celebration without its best meaning.
     For many people in our world the Advent season is consumed business and activity. People get caught up in the tradition of purchasing gifts, attending events, visiting family members, and pleasing children. While the obligations of Christmas can be fun, if people do not take control of their calendars the multiple expectations can control their lives to the point that the celebration of the coming of Christ gets pushed into the background.
     Some people enjoy the aesthetics of Advent. Enthusiasts believe Advent involves Candles, Poinsettias, Holly, Lights, Gifts, and a Nativity. This group finds their joy in home décor, church decorations, community displays, and parades. But Advent is to be more more, Advent is the season to unwrap and share the wonder of Christ’s arrival in order to bring salvation to all who will receive and believe. Advent without meaning is simply cosmetic.
     Many people get caught up in the tradition of Advent. This tradition involves worship services at church, advent candles, and advent readings. There is meaning in this Advent and an honoring of Jesus Christ who was born on Christmas Day.
      To thousands Advent is a celebration of Christ. The season of Advent is the season of celebrating the birth of Christ. This advent can involve business, decorations, and tradition. But will always seek to honor Christ. During the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas thousands of Christians seek to worship Christ in their Christmas.
      To some Christians, Advent is mystery. This is not to say that they do not know what is going on, but the Advent season is designed as a time of discovery, of walking through the story of how God sent His Son into the world to save us from our sins. Advent is a walking through of the story, anxiously awaiting the birth of the long awaited Christ.
     Advent by definition means “a coming; approach; visitation.” The season of Advent is a time of getting ready. Although there are traditions we keep during the Advent season, we must seek to keep the days before Christmas fresh, full of Christ, full of meaning, alive. Advent is meant to be an Adventure.