Advent is the first season of the Church year. It lasts for four weeks leading up to Christmas Day on December 25. “Advent” comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “coming or arrival.” Used by the Church, the word refers to two things. First, it speaks of Jesus Christ’s appearance at his birth on the first Christmas Day. Second, it heralds the second appearance of Jesus Christ when, as the faithful believe, he returns to judge the living and the dead. -Anglican Compass