What Advent Is

Ok, here is the promised explanation of Advent.

First of all, what does Advent mean?  Simply defined it means "coming."  Celebrating Advent is celebrating the coming of Jesus Christ.  Yes, He already came one to this earth, the time when He was born as a baby, lived as a man, (but was still God) was crucified, buried, then rose the third day.  But one day He will come again - His second coming - when He will destroy all wickedness, judge the whole earth, and when "the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever." (Revelation 11:15)  No one knows when that day will come - only He does.

To make one thing very clear, Advent is not some religious ritual or ceremony that is supposed to find favor in God's sight or make Him look down upon us with praise.  No, it is counting down the days until Christmas. 

There are five candles:  Four are for the proceeding weeks, then the last one (the middle) is to be lighted on Christmas day.  Although, each candle does have a meaning.  As I have already posted, last week was Hope.

Of course, in all this there is a lot more than I can explain. (You could always Google Advent.  What are computers for?)  I just wanted to give a little bit of an explanation.

Advent is to be celebrated with joy.  It is not something to mourn or fast about. (Leave that to the Catholics.)   Instead, we are to rejoice in Christ's first coming, which has already happened, and look forward to His second coming that will come one day.  "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men!"