Sunday is the first Sunday in Advent. What is Advent? Is it the countdown before Christmas?

Answer 1

Advent (from the Latin Adventus, sc. Redemptoris, "the coming of the Saviour") is a holy season of the Christian church, the period of preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Christ, or Christmas. It is the beginning of the Christian year (except in the Eastern churches, whose year begins on September

Answer 2

Advent is the liturgical season (meaning it is a season on the church calendar) that immediately preceeds Christmas. It begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day (December 25) and is usually counted on the Sundays - First Sunday of Advent, Second Sunday of Advent, etc. It also begins the liturgical year.

It is a season of waiting, hope, and joyful preparation for the celebration of the coming of Jesus (Incarnation). The readings at church focus on the messages from the prophets foretelling the coming of the Lord. We don't sing Christmas songs during this season because although the birth of Jesus was 2000 years ago, we are preparing for that particular celebration.

You will often see Advent Wreaths - a set of four candles, three purple/violet/deep navy blue and one rose, that acts as a centerpiece for a countdown. Some regions also have the tradition of setting up an empty manger and placing pieces of straw in it throughout Advent for every good deed done in hopes that the Christ Child will have a soft bed come Christmas.

So yes, it is a countdown of sorts. But instead of being a time of stressful hustle and bustle, it is supposed to be a time of preparing the things that really matter - our hearts, minds, and souls.

Answer 3

Advent is the four weeks leading up to Christmas. It comes from the Latin meaning "arrival." Traditionally the themes for the four Sundays in Advent are hope, peace, joy, and love. A lot of churches have an advent wreath and light a candle each of the four Sundays, and the Christ Candle on Christmas Eve.

Answer 4

Advent is the beginning of the Church Year for most churches in the Western tradition. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, which is the Sunday nearest November 30, and ends on Christmas Eve (Dec 24). If Christmas Eve is a Sunday, it is counted as the fourth Sunday of Advent, with Christmas Eve proper beginning at sundown.

Answer 5

Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of Christ. It is something like Lent, but not quite. It is considered a penitential seasons and we use to think of it as a mini-Lent, but this has changed somewhat in recent years. It is customary for churches and monasteries (and some people in their home) to not have any Christmas decorations until Christmas Eve. I don't follow this custom, I decorate. But I do make my Advent confession, just as in Lent.

Answer 6

The period beginning four Sundays before Christmas, observed in commemoration of the coming of Christ into the world.


Peace :)

Answer 7

Yes

Answer 8

Yes it is