Understanding Advent

Advent means “coming.” The Christian Advent season has long been a tradition that ties together the celebration of the first advent of Christ coming to earth as a baby born in a manger in Bethlehem (Christmas) with the anticipation of the second advent, his second coming at the end of the age. The season of Advent is a time for remembering and rejoicing, watching and waiting, and a time to reflect upon the promises of God and to anticipate the fulfillment of those promises with patience, prayer and preparedness. For families with children, the celebration of Advent becomes a great context for teaching your children and grandchildren about the gospel of Christ.