A very dear friend recently asked me, “What exactly is Advent?” and “How do we celebrate it?”
Great questions — and honestly, until a few years ago, I didn’t fully understand it myself.
Advent, in the simplest form, means:
arrival
waiting in expectancy
welcoming what’s coming
There’s a lot of detail online, of course, but even the Bible shows this same idea of people preparing themselves, consecrating themselves, and waiting for something sacred.
Below is just a summary. Please do read the Scriptures when you can — they open up this season beautifully.
1. Origins of Advent — Where Did It All Begin?
I actually find the origin of Advent quite sweet.
In 19th-century Germany, a Lutheran named Johann Hinrich Wichern was running a school for underprivileged children. The kids kept asking, “Is it Christmas yet? Is it Christmas yet?” (Honestly… I know the feeling! LOL.)
To help them understand the wait, he created a wooden wreath with candles so they could count the days.
That simple tool eventually evolved into the Advent wreath we know today — the greens, the candles, the colours. Can you even imagine Christmas without an Advent wreath or a Christmas tree?
Traditionally:
Three purple candles represent repentance
One pink candle represents joy
Some add a white candle for Christmas Day
Lutherans originally used Advent as a fasting period to prepare for the coming of Christ.
Catholics made it a solemn season with Scripture readings and Masses.
Over time, different denominations added their own beautiful touches, but the heart stayed the same:
Prepare for Christ.
2. Advent in the Bible — Expectancy, Consecration, Preparation
Even though the tradition of Advent came later, the spirit of Advent is all over Scripture.
Think of the handful of people who actually knew Jesus was coming before His birth:
Mary
Joseph
Elizabeth
Zechariah
Simeon (who declared he had finally seen “the Salvation” — Luke 2:25–32)
And the wise men, of course
Imagine their excitement… their fear… their joy… their expectancy.
The Messiah — the One promised for generations — was finally coming into the world.
In those days, God’s people would:
fast
pray
worship
stay away from worldly pollution
consecrate themselves before the holy feasts
That’s what Advent should be for us:
a time to prepare our hearts for Jesus.
3. Advent Today — The Spirit Is Still Alive
Yes, Christmas has become commercial over the decades.
Yes, Easter has lost some of its reverence in the world.
But the spirit of these seasons is still very much alive.
People soften at Christmas.
They forgive more easily.
They give more.
They reconcile.
Something happens in the atmosphere that doesn’t happen at any other time of the year.
So let’s enjoy this season — but let’s not forget the heart behind it.
Use Advent to prepare your heart:
Love deeper
Forgive the ones who hurt you
Release the debts people owe you
Apologise where you need to
Humble yourself
Set yourself apart — consecrate yourself — for the coming of Jesus
Not just for celebrating His birth…
But because He is coming again.
Let Advent be your chance to practice being who Jesus wants you to be:
Obedient children to your parents
Loving, honouring spouses to your husbands and wives
Patient, understanding parents
And above all, true ambassadors of Jesus to your community
Final Encouragement
My friends, enjoy this beautiful season of preparation.
Let your heart wait in expectancy — the same way those few people waited for the birth of Christ over 2,000 years ago.
Prepare Him room in your heart.
Have a blessed and joyful Advent season!
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.
Scripture Readings for Advent
Old Testament
Genesis 3:8–15
Isaiah 40:1–5, 9–11
Isaiah 52:7–9
Psalm 89:1–4
…and many more
New Testament
Matthew 1:18–25; 2:11–12
Luke 2:1–7; 2:22–32
…and many more
