Holidays

What is Advent?

Do you eat all the chocolates at once? Or do you follow the calendar carefully? Maybe you don't like chocolate at all and prefer the version with beauty products or LEGO. Of course, you can also make one yourself. It's all possible with the Advent calendar. Counting down to the most beautiful time of the year. A ray of light in a dark period. But... what is Advent actually?

What is Advent?

Advent comes from the Latin word ‘adventus’, which means ‘coming’. Advent is the period of four Sundays before Christmas. At Christmas, Christians celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ to earth. This time is filled with reflection, preparation and looking forward to the great celebration.

Where does Advent come from?

Advent is an age-old tradition. The oldest mention of this period comes from Gregory of Tours (538-594). His writings show that Advent was already celebrated around 480 AD. Although it is unclear where exactly the tradition originated, people probably fasted to look forward to Christmas.

What exactly are we looking forward to?

During Advent, Christians look forward to the birth of Jesus. You may wonder: ‘But wasn’t he born over 2,000 years ago?’ That’s right! However, the birth of Jesus Christ is such an important event that Christians look forward to this celebration every year.

Good news!

On the night Jesus was born, shepherds were keeping watch over their sheep. Suddenly an angel appeared and said, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news for all the people: Today in the city where King David was born, a Messiah has been born. He is the Savior, the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11, NIV).

Here comes the light!

In a time when the days are getting shorter and darker, people need light. During Advent, streets are full of Christmas lights and people place luminous stars in their windows. The darkness that is visible outside can be a reflection of what is going on in our hearts or minds. Wars, unrest and loneliness can hang over us like dark clouds. Yet God offers hope in that darkness. “The people who lived in darkness will see a great light. Light will come again to the people who were already near the gates of death.” (Isaiah 9:1, BB). Are you looking forward to the light that breaks through the darkness? Do you feel Advent in your heart and mind? Look!

At Christmas, Jesus is born. He says: “I AM the light for the people. Anyone who follows Me will never have to live in darkness again. He will walk in the light that gives life.” Jesus offers a way out of the darkness and a life full of light, peace and love.

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Dubbel advent

Does this mean that the earth is now perfect and that there will never be darkness again? Not yet. Although there is still darkness now, there will come a time when it will disappear forever. The Bible speaks of a new world in which there will be no more sun or moon, because Jesus himself will be the light. Sadness and pain will then disappear; the darkness, both literally and figuratively, will be defeated.

The Advent period therefore has a double meaning: it is a reminder of the birth of Jesus and a look ahead to a time when there will be light forever.

Traditions

In many churches, a candle is lit every Sunday during the four weeks before Christmas. On the last Sunday before Christmas, all four candles are lit. This is often accompanied by reading Bible texts, reciting poems or singing songs. At home, people often place a Christmas star in the window or make an Advent wreath with four candles. And of course there is the well-known Advent calendar, filled with treats, beautiful items or daily inspirational texts.