What, exactly, is advent? What religion(s) participate?

Answer 1

It is the beginning of the new liturgical year for the Catholic Church.It lasts for 4 weeks, and ends on Christmas Eve.

Answer 2

In Western Christianity, Advent begins on the fourth Sunday prior to Christmas Day, or the Sunday which falls closest to November 30, and lasts through Christmas Eve, or December 24. When Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday, it is the last, or fourth Sunday of Advent.

In Eastern Orthodox churches which use the Julian calendar, Advent begins earlier, on November 15, and lasts 40 days, rather than 4 weeks.

Usually it means the arrival of Christ. No other religons partisapte as it is a Christian event. look up Googles for more infor if you want.

Answer 3

The coming or arrival, especially of something extremely important: the advent of the computer.
Advent
The liturgical period preceding Christmas, beginning in Western churches on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and in Eastern churches in mid-November, and observed by many Christians as a season of prayer, fasting, and penitence.
Christianity The coming of Jesus at the Incarnation.
Christianity See Second Coming.
(American Heritage Dictionary)

Answer 4

Advent is a symbolic period of waiting for Christ (The candles symbolize him as "light of the world") and starts with the first sunday of December. The word Advent comes from Advenio or "to come". It is a season of penitence and reflecting on one's spiritual journey. All Christian sects generally celebrate it, with the Eastern Orthodox starting in September do to their following of a different liturgical ( church-centered) calender.

Answer 5

I cannot give you enough info, but I can tell you it's a beginning of the new calendar for the Catholics and Episcopalians, and it's celebrated for four weeks. Maybe the Lutherans, too, as they are a branch of Catholicism, but don't quote me about the Lutherans doing Advent. I just know for sure about the other two.

Answer 6

advent is a catholic / christian thing ( and possibly other traditions .
It's the month befor christmas where at each mass we light a candle . At this time we prepare ourselfs spiritually christmas and try not to get carried away with how commercial it has become , even if we can't wait for that awesommeee pink electric guitar we've been dyeing for all year . Lol :P hope i helped !

Answer 7

Wikipedia has an entry for the description of Advent.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advent

Anyway, it's the celebratory time leading up to the birth of Jesus. Catholics, Episcopalians, Lutherans, and I the Methodists all celebrate Advent.

Answer 8

Sounds like everyone here has a pretty good bead on it.

The majority of what Christmas stands for stems from pagan rituals, which we all know, but if we keep Jesus in the center and leave the rest to decoration, then whatever....

From what the bible says about where the sheep and herders were, Jesus was born in late September, not late December.
We have the Catholic church to thank for putting it in late December. They were trying to get the druids in Europe to be Christians so they incorporated the birth of Jesus with the winter solstice and trees and mistletoe and whatnot.

How did I get on this subject??????????
Sorry everybody...................
Well heck, Pass the eggnog!!!!!!!

Answer 9

Advent is the time(4 weeks represents 4000 years like the Bible says) when we prepare for birth of
Jesus Christ and it is a Catholic religion as far as
i know.
MERRY CHRISTMAS

Answer 10

Advent is the name of the liturgical season that precedes the feast of Christmas. It's origins are discerned in the spiritual practices of the Catholic Church.