beginner's guide to advent
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Beginner’s Guide to Advent

In this Beginner’s Guide to Advent I will address common questions and provide a basic overview of the season of Advent.

What is Advent all about? As a Christian but not a Catholic, what do I need to know about the season of Advent? How can I observe Advent if I’m not a Catholic? What is the true meaning of Advent?

Friend, I asked every single one of these questions myself a few years ago as I was going through the R.C.I.A. program (a church program for adults to become Catholic) at my local parish. I was totally oblivious to the whole thing having not grown up in church and coming from a southern Baptist background.

Beginner's Guide to Advent how to prepare for Christmas

It felt overwhelming at first, since I am such a *recovering* perfectionist and there is already so much going on to get ready for Christmas.

But I’m also a huge fan of learning. So I really enjoyed diving head first into learning about the history of Advent and the meaning behind it.

From what I’ve learned in my R.C.I.A. class and from my own online research, I’ve compiled this Beginner’s Guide to Advent.

This is not an exhaustive or comprehensive teaching, but a basic overview.

Essentially, it is a compilation of what stood out to me the most and what answered all those initial questions I had in the beginning.

Beginner’s Guide to Advent

Think of this as Advent 101 taught by a baby Catholic.

It is my hope that this will inspire you to find a facet of Advent that speaks to you that you can incorporate into your own walk with the Lord. (Catholic or not!).

It is my hope that you will learn something new. (You probably won’t if you’re Catholic, LOL!)

But above all, it is my deepest hope that this will remind you of the reason for the season and help you prepare your heart for Christmas.

What is Advent?

Advent in a nutshell:

  • The term Advent comes from the Latin word Adventus meaning “coming”
  • Advent is the season of expectant waiting, hopeful anticipation and joyful preparation for Christ’s coming at Christmas
  • The season of Advent is the 4 weeks leading up to Christmas, beginning the Sunday closest to November 30th

FYI – This year, Advent begins on Sunday November 29, 2020.

Why is Advent important?

Advent is not simply counting down the days until Christmas. The purpose of Advent is to prepare for and celebrate the coming of Christ.

The coming of Christ is not limited to the celebration of his birth on Christmas Day. There are actually 3 comings of Christ we as believers can prepare for and celebrate:

  • The first coming of Jesus to earth, his birth celebrated on December 25th
  • When Jesus came into our hearts as Lord and Savior
  • The second coming of Jesus to earth
Beginner's Guide to Advent The purpose of Advent is to prepare for and celebrate the coming of Christ

The first coming of Jesus to earth

The Advent season of waiting reminds us of the Old Testament waiting on God’s promises (Genesis 3:14-15) and waiting on the prophesy to be fulfilled.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)

And He came! Hallelujah!

So Advent is a time to reflect on God’s promises fulfilled with gratitude and a sense of peace.

The coming of Jesus into our hearts as Lord and Savior

The coming of Jesus into my heart and life first happened for me during a Christmas season long ago.

So this season is an especially powerful time for me to reflect on my relationship with the Lord and make even more room for Him in my life.

The coming of Jesus to us personally is certainly worth celebrating with great joy!

And not just the moment He first came and took His seat on the throne of our hearts, but how He comes to us each day and each moment with everlasting faithfulness.

The second coming of Jesus to Earth

The second coming of Jesus is another promise to hope for, but more importantly, to prepare for.

This concept is new to me and, if I’m honest, very convicting. I love how Father Mike puts it to us in his video on The True Meaning of Advent.

He explains the second coming is when you will see Jesus face to face, whether that is at your death or when Jesus returns to earth in glory.

So, Father Mike challenges us with this question: what if you were using Advent to prepare for your death on December 25th – how would you do Advent differently?

That puts a whole new perspective on preparing for Christmas!

How is Advent celebrated?

Just like there is no one set way to celebrate Christmas, there is no “right” way to celebrate Advent.

Many people celebrate Advent with an Advent wreath, lighting each of the 4 candles on the Sundays during Advent.

Advent calendars are also fairly common and have become more diverse and creative in their presentations of counting down the days until Christmas.

Advent is a great opportunity to create your own family traditions that are meaningful to you personally and that help you prepare your heart for Christmas.

It’s also an opportunity to get back to church and participate in any special Advent services or events. Don’t discount the power of worshiping with other believers, that always feels like a celebration to me.

For me, Advent is wonderful opportunity to read a special devotional book or do a bible study that helps me keep my eyes fixed on Jesus during an otherwise busy, hectic month. I’ll share a few of my favorites below.

What is the meaning of the Advent Wreath?

The Advent wreath is a traditional centerpiece for the Advent season.

The circle shape of the wreath represents the eternity of God. The evergreen foliage, whether fresh or artificial, represents life and immortality.

The lighting of candles signifies the birth of Christ, the Light of the World. The 4 candles represent the 4 weeks of Advent or the 4 Sundays leading up to Christmas.

Three of the 4 candles are purple, a color that signifies royalty and helps us remember Christ is the king.

1 of the 4 candles is a rose (pink) color, which is lit on Gaudete Sunday (the third Sunday of Advent) signifies rejoicing, because the anticipated arrival of Christ is almost here.

I’ve celebrated Advent with our custom family Advent calendar for the last few years, but this year will be my first time celebrating with an Advent wreath! I’m so excited!

A few of my favorite Advent resources

The first time I celebrated Advent a few years ago, I started with this wonderful little book called Unwrapping the Names of Jesus by Asheritah Ciuciu. I loved it so much it’s become an Advent tradition!

I’ve given this Advent devotional as gifts to loved ones in years past and this year I’m kicking it up a notch by going through this devotional together with a few close friends online. I can’t recommend it enough!

I’m also branching out this year with a few new resources:

  • My favorite bible study app First 5 released new resource this year called “Pointing to the Promise: An Advent Study Guide” that I’ve been enjoying so far!
  • I am excited to check out the “Savor the Savior 31 Day Advent Study” from Well-Watered Women Co.
  • My wonderful friend Carina Alanson’s “Illuminating Jesus Devotional” which cleverly has an ebook & audio bundle

These short video teachings have been a blessing for me as I’ve begun to prepare for Christ’s coming:

  • The True Meaning of Advent: A challenging call to prepare in a meaningful way from Father Mike – watch it HERE
  • Bishop Barron on The Advent Revolution, encouraging us to reflect on Jesus coming and showing us what it looks like when Yahweh is King (a revolution!) – watch it HERE
  • Advent in 2 minutes – watch it HERE

Here are a few of my other holiday blog posts or articles you might enjoy:

  • 3 Christmas Prayers to Beat the Holiday Hustle featured on iBelieve.com – read it HERE
  • Present Over Perfect This Christmas – read it HERE
  • The Purpose of Christmas my personal Christmas story- read it HERE
  • Let’s ditch the diets this holiday season – read it HERE
  • How to have a happier, healthier Christmas – read it HERE
  • Beginner’s Guide to Lent – read it HERE

Daily Readings for Sunday Mass during Advent

First Sunday of Advent

Click HERE to read the Daily Readings for the First Sunday of Advent for 2020

Second Sunday of Advent

Click HERE to read the Daily Readings for the Second Sunday of Advent for 2020

Third Sunday of Advent

Click HERE to read the Daily Readings for the Third Sunday of Advent for 2020

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Click HERE to read the Daily Readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent for 2020

How will you prepare your heart for Christmas?

I hope this has been helpful in explaining what Advent is all about.

But more than that, I hope it has inspired you to take something away from this Beginner’s Guide to Advent and put it into practice in your own life in the next few weeks, regardless of your denomination.

How can you slow down in this busy time of year and fully experience the waiting?

How will you prepare your heart to celebrate the birth of Jesus?

How will you reflect on God’s faithfulness and the fulfilment of his promises through Jesus?

How will you prepare for the second coming of Jesus?

Erin L Todd Ginger In Progress