Advent 2021

Gò0dNews for Everyone

Advent 2021

by Chad Hess

The season of Advent officially began on November 28th of 2021, and is the beginning of the new liturgical year for Western Christianity. Many Christians in the United States celebrate the period, and its popularity has grown in recent years. Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day and ends on Christmas Eve. Most people practice two Advent traditions without realizing that they are actually Advent traditions— Christmas trees and the hanging of decorations on the tree. Many people use the ever more popular Advent calendar which has now become very secularized. Current popular calendars include: Disney characters, Lego, and even a Harry Potter Advent calendar. But what is Advent really? And how should we celebrate the period?

The name Advent was derived from the Latin “adventus” which means “coming or arrival.” The season of Advent actually celebrates three different comings or arrivals: 1) the physical nativity or arrival in Bethlehem, 2) the reception of Christ in the heart of the believer, and 3) the return of Christ in His second coming. The nativity of Christ, without question, is a seminal event in history and is rightly celebrated. The reception of Christ in the heart of the believer is the single most important choice that every man and woman face while here on Earth. I desire this year to focus on Advent from the third coming or arrival—the return of Christ in His second coming.

We all should spend time in preparation for the Return of Christ. This time is wisely spent preparing ourselves to be found ready for His coming. We do not want to be found lacking as the virgins were when the groom came for his wedding. We are told in scripture on numerous occasions to always be ready for the return of our King. Additional Advent traditions that are practiced by many, but not most people, that will help you to be ready are: devotional reading, prayer, fasting, and penance. At this time in our country and in the world, these traditions have taken on a greater urgency than ever before. This article is not going to be an update on how bad the world is or how these might be the last days. It is not an attempt to frighten you regarding the many things we see which are going on in the world that we never thought we would see. It is a reminder that Jesus is coming back. No one knows the day or hour, but we are all called to anticipate His return and to prepare ourselves to be

ready when it happens. Advent is the perfect time to observe the traditions of reading, prayer, fasting and penance.

Read the nativity stories in the Gospels, but also read the “return” writings in Daniel, Isaiah, and Revelation. Read them all with reverence and joy because all of them are “good news.” Pray without ceasing, thanking God for sending His Son and for a certain knowledge and peace about the times we are currently living. Fast from food to create a heightened awareness during your times of reading and prayer. Engage in forms of penance which are simply acts of devotion to God to express sorrow for your sin.

Take advantage of the season of Advent to draw closer to the Trinity, celebrate the birth of our Savior, and prepare yourself for His glorious return.

About The Author Chad Hess is a husband, father and Army Veteran. He is a parishioner at Saint Andrews Anglican Church in Rome, where he is involved in lay ministries.

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