The Advent period is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas, as well as the return of Jesus at the second coming. The term “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival:” for many, it is a period of spiritual reflection as well as joyous anticipation.

Advent began as a tradition in the 4th and 5th centuries, arriving on the scene after Christmas had already been established. Initially, it was a period of solemn reflection, fasting, and preparation for the sacrament of baptism, emphasizing the faithful’s readiness for Jesus’s return. As time passed, particularly by the Middle Ages, Advent’s significance began to intertwine with the anticipation of Christmas.