Advent

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given (Isaiah 9:6a).

It's hard to believe that another Christmas season is upon us, but Advent began on Sunday. Advent is recognized or celebrated in most Christian denominations. It is a time of preparing for and celebrating the birth of Jesus as He came to earth to die for the sins of the world and a time to remember He will be coming again to take His flock home.

The name comes from the Latin word, aventus, which means "coming" or "arrival." It is said that the term in Christendom has three different facets: the physical birth in Bethlehem, the acceptance of Christ into the heart of the believer, and the Second Coming we anticipate. 

During Advent congregations and believers might light an Advent wreath, hold a daily Advent devotional and prayer, put up a Christmon tree, hang evergreens, etc. In the churches I've attended, some have celebrated Advent in one way or another, and others haven't. The important part is not in the ceremony or the celebrations but in the heartfelt understanding and worship.

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