Advent prepares us for the coming of Christ at the end of time and for the annual celebration of the Incarnation.  The season lasts through four Sundays.  In the Northern Hemisphere, Advent coincides with the shortest days and the arrival of cold weather.  It is the season of the year that reminds us of our frailty in the cold and the fears we face in darkness.

The secular world adopts the weeks before Christmas as its primary "holiday season," a time of high activity in commerce.  We are bombarded by advertisements and entertainment which threaten to derail the Christian observance of Advent.  A firm grasp on the spirituality of the season will help to keep us focused on hope rather than on credit.

In the midst of this celebration of consumerism, the secular world adopts a secondary theme that blends well with the Christian season--the theme of charity.  During the "holiday season" people are urged to contribute especially to causes that benefit the poor and the needy.  Even the marketing of Christmas relies on the good will of those who purchase gifts for loved ones as a sign of charity.  Love befits Advent.  Love was God's motive in sending the Redeemer, and love is the way of life expected of those who believe.

The liturgy Advent has a double focus: it prepares us for the anniversary of the birth of Jesus, it also prepares us for his coming again at the end of time. These four weeks have been said to represent the "four thousand years of waiting" for the coming of the Messiah as inferred from the biblical narratives, although the waiting continues among all who are eager for the fullness of God's reign.

Several figures interpret the meaning of this season.  Among the prophets, Isaiah's voice rings out the most frequently, promising exiled Israel a return to their homeland.  John the Baptist prepares people for the coming of Jesus both in his message and in the events of his life.  Mary embodies Advent hope: a quiet, obedient, pregnant waiting, a confidence in the glory that is to come.  Together these figures proclaim the coming of Christ, who offers a new homeland to exiles who await eternal life.