Advent

Advent is the beginning of the Church calendar. Advent is marked by a joyful spirit of anticipation, preparation, and longing. The word Advent means coming or arrival. The focus of this season is preparing for the celebration of the birth of Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah, in his first Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his second Advent. We mark Advent by the four Sundays