The season of Advent begins this Sunday, December 1. The origin of "Advent" is from the Latin word adventus which simply translates "coming" or "arrival." Advent is a season of spiritual preparation for the celebration of the birth of Christ (Christmas) and looks forward to the future reign of Christ. Advent is a preparation for, rather than a celebration of, Christmas. It is a time for solace and remembrance.

Advent and Christmas focus both on the past–the coming of Jesus as an infant born into poverty in Bethlehem, and the future–the coming of Christ in glory to fulfill God’s loving purposes for humanity. In order to prepare for the coming of the Christ-child, the Church asks Christ’s followers to use the four weeks prior to that to examine not so much their inner being – that will come in Lent – but the outer world. Each Sunday has a traditional meaning and prayers and readings assigned to it, representing the virtues of love, joy, hope, and peace.

Advent this year comes at a time of anxiety and hope. Many of us are struggling and are afraid for our future. It’s not easy to hope when times are bad. Mary, as she waited for the birth of her child into an uncertain world, knew how to live with hope – to believe the promises of God. So Advent is a time when we wait, with Mary, for the birth of new life into a world living in the shadows of death.

A Prayer at the Beginning of Advent:

"Blessed Advent, gentle listener. May it please the Creator to free you up to see with new eyes what the past has wrought, what the present gives, and what the future promises. Find yourself open in this season to what eyes can see and ears can hear. May the Sacred walk with you. May your Emmanuel, your God with us, by whatever name you call her, abide with you on this journey into the shadowed light of early winter. And may there be surprises awaiting you when the light dawns on this, your journey Into the Mystic." --Steven Liechty