Have You Ever Wondered Why We Celebrate Advent?

When I think of the word “Advent,” my mind often drifts to the Advent calendars that my grandchildren eagerly anticipate each year. Each day during this special season, they can hardly wait to gather around the calendar, excited to open a small door and discover a delightful surprise or a piece of candy. My daughters have taken it a step further by adding Scripture and uplifting messages to accompany these treats. Yet, I find myself pondering the deeper meaning behind the Advent calendar.

This year, I set out to explore the history and significance of the Advent calendar, eager to share its true essence with my grandchildren. My first stop was Merriam-Webster, where I discovered that “Advent” embodies three distinct meanings. It refers to:

1. The four Sundays leading up to Christmas, observed by many Christians as a time of prayer and fasting.
2. The coming of Christ during the Incarnation, as well as His anticipated second coming.
3. The notion of a significant arrival or emergence.

In short, Advent is a time for us to prepare our hearts—not just for celebrating the miraculous birth of Christ, the promised Messiah, but also to eagerly await His return. This is why we gather in our churches to sing heartfelt hymns like “Silent Night” and “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” songs that resonate with hope and God’s fulfilled promises.

For the Jewish community, this season has held meaningful importance as they earnestly pray for the arrival of their promised Messiah. In contrast, Christians celebrate that the Messiah has already come—His name is Jesus Christ. For those who believe in this truth, Advent becomes a heartfelt time of remembering His first arrival while looking forward to His return.

In the whirlwind of today’s world, filled with distractions, our hope should not rest on fleeting worldly things but on the One who reigns from His heavenly throne. During this sacred season, we intentionally shift our focus from material pursuits to the true meaning of Christmas: Jesus, our Messiah. Staying connected to Him nourishes our souls and strengthens our faith. As John 15:5 reminds us, “I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me, you can do nothing.”

Our pastor often shares an impactful reminder about discipleship: the essence of being a disciple is to follow Christ and learn to do what He does. Picture a vineyard where strong, healthy branches cling tightly to the Vine, drawing nourishment and producing luscious grapes. In stark contrast are the branches that are only loosely attached, bearing fruit that lacks vitality and flavor. Unfortunately, those weaker branches are eventually pruned away.

This principle holds true for our spiritual lives as well. When we drift away from God and indulge in worldly pleasures, we slowly distance ourselves from Him. Our time spent reading Scripture and praying diminishes; church attendance drops; and prayer becomes just a routine. If we’re not cautious, we can easily lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas—one not rooted in gifts, Santa, parties, or holiday travel.

Have you noticed how hectic the Christmas season can get? Right after Thanksgiving, we dive straight into holiday preparations, planning parties, arranging travel, and shopping for gifts. Sometimes, we become so engrossed in these trivial details that we forget what the season truly represents. The outcome is often stress, exhaustion, and, in some cases, burdensome bills that weigh us down rather than bring joy.

For years, this pattern defined my own Christmas experiences. While I understood the holiday’s surface, I found myself swept up in the world’s version of Christmas. It wasn’t until I made a conscious decision to immerse myself in God’s Word that I genuinely began to grasp the significance of Christmas and the purpose of Advent, which begins on December 1st. Since making that shift in perspective, I’ve stopped stressing over gifts and holiday plans. Instead, I focus on preparing my heart to celebrate the glorious return of our Lord.

Think of Advent as a spiritual playlist tailored just for you. Much like how we create playlists filled with songs that resonate with our feelings and life experiences, this season invites us to reflect on the beautiful melodies of hope, joy, and anticipation that surround us. Each week leading up to Christmas can be seen as a new “track” on this playlist, beckoning us to embrace the season’s deeper meaning. As we prepare our hearts for the arrival of our Savior, let’s take the time to truly tune in and appreciate the divine soundtrack of our lives.

 

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I offer my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible gift You bestowed upon us over two thousand years ago. In Isaiah 9:6, we are beautifully reminded of Your promised Messiah, who brings hope and redemption to the world: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

As we journey through our lives, Lord, I ask that You guide us in preparing our hearts to fully embrace this gift. Help us to remain steadfast in our faith as we anticipate the joyous return of our Lord Jesus. May we find peace and purpose in Your presence, and may our spirits be uplifted as we await the fulfillment of Your promises. In Your precious name, we offer our praise and devotion. Amen.

 

Reference

“Advent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Merriam Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Advent. Accessed 1 December. 2025.

Gonzalez, S. (2025). (The Lake). [Photograph]. [Personal Collection]

The Holy Bible: The Amplified Bible. 1987. 2015. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation. Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631.