The season of Advent begins with the fourth Sunday before Christmas. The word "advent" means "coming" or "arrival." It is the season of the church year in which we prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas. For centuries before Jesus' birth, the people of the Hebrew Scriptures awaited the coming of the Messiah. Some of our traditions come from these ancient forms of preparation.

As Christians, we adopt many of the traditions of Europe, anticipating the re-emergence of light after a winter of darkness. We see Jesus as the Light of the World and, thus, light many candles and decorate with electric lights. The use of greenery and trees in the home also come from Europe and represent hope and promise in the bleak midwinter.

We also look forward to the day when Jesus and his ways will be recognized around the world and he will usher in the time of Peace that was long foretold. Advent is a time of anticipation of Jesus' birth and of his return or Second Coming. The traditional colors for Advent in the church have been the royal shades of purple, but now the more modern tradition is to use blue, the color of Mary's cloak.