What is Advent?

Advent is the period that leads into Christmas. It’s an important time of preparation and expectant waiting. In this lesson you’re going to learn about what Advent means in the UK. Advent is the Anglicisation of the Latin word ‘adventus’. What does ‘adventus’ mean? The answer is at the end of the video. Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year or church year, and begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas so it always falls between the 27^th November and the 3^rd December. The religious meaning behind the advent period is to anticipate and to prepare for the second coming of Christ by anticipating and preparing for Christmas. The lighting of an advent wreath candle is a common way to countdown to Christmas. The wreath is made of evergreen branches and has four candles arranged around it. The candles represent the four Sundays of advent and one candle is lit on each Sunday in Advent. Often there is fifth candle in the centre and this last candle is lit on Christmas Day. Advent is also a countdown for the non-religious as advent calendars are a very popular form of confectionary. These are a type of calendar that have a door for every day of Advent. Behind each door is an item, usually chocolate and people use them as a countdown to Christmas. The chocolates are often made into the shape of Christmas icons such as mistletoe and bells.

Advent is the time when Christmas preparations really move up a gear. Presents are wrapped, trees are decorated, and every town and city becomes Christmassy thanks to decorations and illuminations.

And now here is the answer to the earlier quiz. Advent is the Anglicisation of the Latin word ‘adventus’.  What does ‘adventus’ mean? It means ‘coming’ or ‘arrival’. Advent is literally the arrival of Christmas. In the past many loan words were anglicised to make them easier for English speakers to understand.

Celebrations and dates. Can you match them?

Key

1. c.

2. d.

3. a.

4. b.