So, what exactly is Advent?

Advent is the season in the Christian church year that helps us prepare for Christmas.
The word Advent comes from the Latin adventus, which means “coming.”

During Advent, Christians remember two important truths:

• Jesus has come — we look back to his birth at Christmas

• Jesus will come again — we look forward with hope to God’s future

Advent invites us to slow down, reflect, and prepare our hearts for the celebration of Christ’s birth.

And Advent is a love story. “For God so loved the World, that he gave his only son, that whosoever believes will not perish, they shall have eternal life”. – John 3:16

Advent begins, the fourth Sunday before Christmas Eve, usually the Sunday nearest November 30 (St. Andrew’s Day). It then runs through to Christmas Eve. It is also special because it marks the beginning of the church year, making it a season of new beginnings and renewed hope.

Why Do Christians Observe Advent?

In the busyness of the Christmas season, Advent helps Christians focus on what Christmas is really about.

Rather than rushing straight to Christmas Day, Advent encourages us to:

• Practice waiting and expectation

• Remember God’s promises

• Reflect on the meaning of Jesus coming into the world

Advent is not meant to take away from the joy of Christmas — it helps deepen it.

Advent Traditions

Many Christians mark Advent with simple traditions that help make the season visible and meaningful.

Advent Wreath

An Advent wreath usually holds four candles arranged in a circle.
One candle is lit each Sunday of Advent.

Each candle represents a theme that helps guide our reflection:

• Hope

• Peace

• Joy

• Love

As more candles are lit each week, the growing light reminds us that Christ is the light of the world, coming into the darkness. 

Advent is not just about waiting for Christmas. It’s also about slowing down and taking a moment to reflect on the bigger picture: the hope and joy that Jesus’ birth brings to the world. It’s about focusing on the true meaning behind Christmas.

The First Sunday of Advent

The first Sunday of the Advent Season, we remember the hope that came with the anticipation of the birth of Jesus Christ.

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Christmas is coming and so is Messiah!

The Second Sunday of Advent

 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.”

On the second Sunday of Advent, we celebrate that peace that comes to our hearts when we accept the good news of Jesus Christ.

The Third Sunday of Advent

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

On the third Sunday of Advent, we celebrate the joy of release that Jesus brings.

The Fourth Sunday of Advent 

On this, the final Sunday of Advent, we celebrate the love that we share through our faith in Jesus Christ.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails.”

Love is what Advent, what the gift of Jesus, is all about.

So, what does the Bible say about Love?

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’^[and ‘Hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven, because he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust.

 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.