What is the True Meaning of Advent

Last year, readers were challenged to remember "the reason for the season" by reading the entire life of Jesus in the days of December leading up to Christmas Day.  In my home, I took the challenge too.  I  made sure I did not forget to read a chapter each day by choosing to move a figure onto the nativity advent calendar only after reading. 

Ever wonder how the advent count-down got started?  It started as a 40-days of prayer and fasting towards an annual baptismal event, which included celebration of events in Christ's life and as such had only a small relation to Christmas.  Sometime in the 16th century, the Catholic church changed Advent to focus on the four Sundays leading up to Christmas, as a reminder that Christ will come a second time.  His birth in Bethlehem was the first time Jesus came.  The second is when He appears in the clouds to call His people home and judge earth.

"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice." - Philippians 4:4 (KJV) 

Advent calendars came along in the late 1800's and became popular as a way to count-down the days up to Christmas.  When first made, most Advent calendars showed scenes of the nativity story.   Now, many advent calendars do not have any Christian component to them.  Instead of prayer, Bible reading, or Christ, these calendars provide doors or drawers with candy and small gifts.

If you do any form of Advent as part of your holiday celebrations, please think about how you can bring Jesus Christ back to the forefront of the season.