The word Advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival.” During this joyous season, we take time to celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ at His First Advent, and anticipate the return of Christ at His Second. Through our time of observance, reflection and worship, Advent becomes far more than the mere retelling of a 2,000-year-old historic event. It allows us to rightly consider the revelation of God in Christ, Who took on flesh and dwelt among us, that we might be called the children of God. 

Advent has always been marked by a spirit of anticipation, expectation, desperation and hope. The Israelites longed for the Advent of their Messiah believing He would punish evil and deliver them from the oppression of this world. Our 
desire to see Christ return is rooted in the same belief. And so, this is indeed a time for fasting and repentance, joy and 
redemption, as we mourn for those who choose not to receive Him, celebrate with those who have, and look forward with great expectancy to the glory we will behold at His Second Advent, which is soon to come.