Hope | LifeGroup

What is Advent?

Advent is a season in the Church calendar dedicated to the hopeful anticipation for the arrival or "advent" of Jesus of Nazareth. During the four-week period leading up to Christmas, many Advent observers engage in prayer, meditation, and Scripture study that emphasizes hope, peace, love, and joy. Christians from many backgrounds celebrate this time, and while their practices may look different, all focus on the hope-filled arrival of Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah and King.

What Does Advent Mean?

Advent means "arrival" and signifies the start of an event or the arrival of a person. We might use the word to talk about "the advent of the Internet" or "the advent of the pandemic." In Christian communities around the world, Advent refers to a four-week season of remembering and celebrating the arrival of Jesus of Nazareth on Earth.

Why Is Advent Important?

Advent can be a simple and fun tradition that functions as a festive countdown to Christmas. For others—particularly those who believe Jesus to be the incarnation of God and the long-awaited Messiah—Advent is a shared experience of meditation and prayer that celebrates the arrival of Jesus.