{"id":23386,"date":"2026-03-11T14:36:43","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T14:36:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gpbookstore.org\/articles\/uncategorized\/what-is-advent\/"},"modified":"2026-04-10T06:16:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T06:16:11","slug":"what-is-advent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gpbookstore.org\/articles\/positive-living\/what-is-advent\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Advent?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The holiday season is filled with preparation. Shopping for presents<\/a>, putting up decorations, getting ready for travel<\/a>, preparing for guests, cooking a Christmas dinner… With so many things to do, the season can become a bit of a blur. Before we know it, it\u2019s the day after Christmas. We haven\u2019t had a moment to relax<\/a> or reflect on this joyous time of year. Yet there is an aspect of the holiday season that allows us to do just that, in the weeks leading up to Christmas: Advent. You may know it from the dated calendars with treats behind them. But it has a lot more meaning than that. So, what is Advent?<\/p>\n

What does Advent mean?<\/h3>\n

Advent comes from the Latin word adventus<\/em>, which means \u201ccoming\u201d or \u201carrival.\u201d<\/p>\n

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It is a preparatory season before the celebration of Christ\u2019s birth on Christmas<\/a>. Some also see it as a preparation for the second coming of Christ.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: Learn more about the meaning of Advent<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

When does Advent start?<\/h3>\n

The Advent season traditionally begins four Sundays before Christmas Day. So the start date changes every year. It always ends on Christmas Eve (December 24th).<\/p>\n

The 2023 Advent season begins on Sunday, December 3rd.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: Our Editors’ Favorite Advent Candles and Holders<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

What is the origin of Advent?<\/h3>\n

Pinpointing the true origins of Advent can be a little complicated. History has left us with some ideas.<\/p>\n

\"SaintBishop Perpetuus of Tours (461\u2013490) decreed a period of fasting<\/a> before Christmas that started on November 11th, or St. Martin\u2019s Day. And in 567, the Council of Tours, or the main seat of Christianity at the time, mentioned an Advent season. We can also find a clue in traditions surrounding the Feast of the Epiphany<\/a> on January 6th. New Christians baptized on this date went through a time of preparedness in the days leading up to it.<\/p>\n

Despite the many theories on when it originated, nothing is definitive. As J. Neil Alexander, a bishop and professor of liturgy and theology, puts it, \u201cEach hypothesis is of continuing interest, but all contain serious flaws that make it impossible to claim with confidence a credible explanation of the origin of Advent.\u201d<\/p>\n

Perhaps it is comforting that Advent doesn\u2019t have one source. People throughout history recognized this time of year to be holy and designated it so.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: 10 Interesting Advent Facts to Get You in the Holiday Spirit<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Is Advent in the Bible?<\/h3>\n

Some may be surprised to learn that the word \u201cadvent\u201d is not in the Bible. However, various verses in Scripture focus on Christ\u2019s arrival. While they may not mention it specifically, they get to the heart of what Advent means.<\/p>\n

Here are some Advent Bible verses:<\/p>\n