What is Advent and Why Do We Celebrate?

Advent is the four-week season leading up to Christmas that prepares our hearts to celebrate the incarnation of Jesus Christ and to anticipate His promised return. The word Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival.” Historically, the church has understood Advent as a time of longing and hope, much like Israel longed for the Messiah before His birth. We remember Christ’s first coming in humility and anticipate His second coming in glory as Advent forms the church into a people shaped by a confident hope in Jesus.

Advent reminds us that the Christian’s story begins with God coming to us. Humanity was lost in darkness, yet the Father sent His Son as the true light of the world. Advent teaches us to feel the weight of that darkness and not wallow in despair, but to grasp the wonder of Christ’s light. When we slow down during this time we understand more deeply why Jesus came and how desperately we require His grace. The season helps us resist the cultural pressure to rush toward Christmas sentimentality without acknowledging the brokenness Christ came to heal.

Advent also reorients our hearts toward the hope of Christ’s return. The early church lived with an expectation that Jesus would come again to restore creation and reign in righteousness. Advent renews that same longing in us every year. It teaches us to pray, “Come, Lord Jesus,” as the cry of a people who know that true joy comes only from Him. In our world that is marked by sorrow and sin, Advent anchors us in the promise that Christ will finish what He began.

During Advent we proclaim the faithfulness of God, who kept His promises to send a Redeemer, and who will keep His promises to bring His kingdom in fullness. We meditate on Scriptures from the Old Testament that announce Christ’s coming. These readings draw our attention to Christ as the fulfillment of all God’s redemptive purposes and promises. They lead us to repentance as we prepare room in our hearts for Him, and to joy as we marvel at His steadfast love.

Finally, Advent cultivates a rhythm of waiting that is countercultural to our modern sensibilities. The world urges immediate gratification, but Advent teaches hope-filled waiting rooted in Christ. As we are waiting, we learn to trust Him more deeply and to bear witness to the Light that has entered the world.

We celebrate Advent because it centers us on Jesus—His coming in the flesh, His presence with us now by the Spirit, and His future coming in glory. As we remember and anticipate Christ, the church becomes a people of hope shaped by the One who has come and will come again.

At King’s, our celebration of Advent will include lighting the candles of hope, peace, joy, love, and finally, the Christ candle during our Lord’s Day gatherings leading up to Christmas; our special Nine Lessons and Carols service where we meditate on the Scriptures that announce Christ’s coming and sing together; as well as many opportunities to fellowship with our brothers and sisters as we remind each other to slow down during this busy season.