By Fr Ken Spreadborough
Have you acquired your Advent Calendar yet to help you celebrate the 24 days leading up to Christmas?
Local stores are full of them, but what does it all mean?
Advent comes from the Latin “ad” meaning “to” and “venire” meaning “to come”.
So Advent is a coming to … a coming to Christmas, a time when we prepare for the celebration of the time Jesus came into our world.
Advent is a season of preparation. During this time, Christians focus their attention on the coming of Christ and celebrate the gift of peace He brings.
This season of preparation serves as a time to reflect on the coming of Jesus and His teachings.
During Advent Christians focus on Peace, Love, Joy and Hope.- what a wonderful way to lead up to Christmas.
The modern celebration of Advent probably began in about the 4th Century but Isaiah (8th Century BC) in chapter nine verses six and seven probably said it as well as anyone: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulders, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end.
