Advent

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Advent the first season of the Church year, leading up to Christmas and including the four preceding Sundays. The name is recorded from Old English, and comes from Latin adventus ‘arrival’, in Christian writings applied particularly to the coming of the Saviour.
Advent calendar a calendar containing small numbered flaps, one of which is opened on each day of Advent to reveal a picture appropriate to the season.
Advent candle a candle lit during Advent; especially each candle in a ring of four, lit on successive Sundays in Advent to symbolize the coming of light into the world at Christmas (when a fifth central candle completes the group).
Advent Sunday the first Sunday in Advent; in the Western Church the Sunday closest to St Andrew's Day (30 November). In the Orthodox Church Advent Sunday falls in the middle of November.

Advent [Lat.,=coming], season of the Christian ecclesiastical year preceding Christmas, lasting in the West from the Sunday nearest Nov. 30 (St. Andrew's Day) until Christmas Eve. In the Roman Catholic Church it is traditionally considered a season of penitence and fasting, to prepare for the holy day, and its liturgical color is purple. However, the Roman observance has always contained an element of joyful anticipation of Christmas, a feeling that prevails during this season in Western churches today. Originally Advent was seen as a time of preparation for the feast of Christ's nativity. But during the Middle Ages this meaning was extended to include preparation for Christ's second coming, as well as Christ's present coming through grace.

advent An alternative translation of the Greek parousia, otherwise rendered ‘coming’ in the English versions, with reference to the eschatological expectation of Christ's coming as Judge of the world at the End (Matt. 24: 39). Later, the Church regarded the life of Jesus in the incarnation as the ‘First Advent’ and the ‘Second Advent’ was to be in the future. The Church season of Advent then developed (first with six Sundays, later with four) into a time of preparation for Christmas, and for the Last Judgement.

Advent (Lat., adventus, ‘coming’, i.e. of Christ). The season of the church year preceding Christmas. Originally a season of fasting, in the Orthodox Church it begins in November. In the W. Church, fasting is no longer obligatory, and the season is shorter, beginning on the Sunday closest to 30 Nov. Concerned with the Four Last Things, Advent prepares for the parousia, as well as for Christmas.

Advent (Lat. Adventus, ‘coming’, i.e. of Christ). The ecclesiastical season immediately before Christmas. In the W. it begins on the Sunday nearest St Andrew's Day (30 Nov.); in the E. in the middle of Nov. Though fasting is no longer ordered in the W., Advent is observed as a penitential season, in preparation not only for Christmas but also for the Second Coming of Christ.

ad·vent / ˈadˌvent/ • n. [in sing.] the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event. ∎  (Advent) the first season of the church year, leading up to Christmas and including the four preceding Sundays. ∎  (Advent) Christian Theol. the coming or second coming of Christ.

Advent (Lat. coming) Liturgical season preceding Christmas. It begins on the Sunday nearest November 30 (St Andrew's Day). In many countries, observances during Advent include the lighting of candles. Advent refers both to Christ's birth and his coming in glory as judge at the end of history.

advent Church season preceding Christmas XII; the Coming of Christ XV; arrival XVIII. — OF. advent, refash. after L. of avent (also mod.) — L. adventus, f. advent-, pp. stem of advenīre arrive, f. AD- + venīre COME.

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