Advent
The Season of Advent marks the four weeks preceding Christmas, beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day. The word "advent" means "coming" or "arrival". The season celebrates the birth of Jesus in His first Advent and the anticipation of His return as King in the second Advent. In church, the advent candles are lit one each week until all four burns bright on Christmas day.
The remembrance of the past and the anticipation of the future emphasizes where we now stand, affirms our faith and reminds us of our calling and duty while we await Christ's return.
The spirit of Advent is very much reflected in the parable of the bridesmaids waiting with great anticipation the coming of the groom. While there is expectant joy, there is also a warning against complacency and loss of focus in our lives.
We need to be prepared and ready to meet Christ in His second coming and to account for our lives. We can await with joy or we can shudder with fear - that is very much in our own hands.
Find out more about Advent and the traditions, significances and lessons surrounding it in Dennis Bratcher's article, "The Season of Advent - Anticipation and Hope" in The Christian Resource Institute's website.