What is Advent?

Beginning the Church's liturgical year, Advent (from, "ad-venire" in Latin or "to come to") is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas.

The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and to the anniversary of our Lord’s birth on Christmas. From the earliest days of the Church, people have been fascinated by Jesus’ promise to come back, but the scripture readings during Advent instruct the faithful not to waste  time with predictions. Advent is not about speculation. The Advent readings encourage the faithful to be alert and ready, not weighted down and distracted by the cares of this world (Lk 21:34-36). 

Like Lent, the liturgical color for Advent is purple since both are seasons of preparation for great feast days. Advent also includes an element of penance in the sense of preparing, quieting and disciplining hearts for the full joy of Christmas.

The final days of Advent, from Dec. 17 to Dec. 24, are focused on preparation for the celebrations of the Nativity of our Lord at Christmas. In particular, the "O" Antiphons are sung during this period and have been by the Church since at least the eighth century. They are a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament to proclaim the coming of Christ as the fulfillment not only of Old Testament hopes, but of present ones as well.

Advent devotions including the Advent wreath, are a reminder of the meaning of the season. Advent calendars can assist adults and children alike to fully enter into the season with daily activity and prayer suggestions to prepare individual and families spiritually for the birth of Jesus Christ. 

(source: USCCB.org)