The word Advent comes from the Latin root, ‘adventus’ which means ‘coming’ or ‘arriving.’
There are four weeks in the season of Advent, a time of preparation for the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, just as Lenten Season is for Easter. Advent begins on the Sunday after Feast of Christ the King and lasts until the Eve of Christmas. This period is again divided into two parts:
- First Sunday of Advent till 16th December,
- 17th December till 24th December.
Both parts express the preparation for Christmas. However, the second part gives prominence to more intense preparation. The Church invites every faithful to joyfully prepare for the mystery of the incarnation and at the same time eagerly look forward to the Second Coming of Christ.
On the first two Sundays the liturgy stresses on the First and Second Coming of Jesus. Thus, the Church invites the faithful to welcome the Saviour with fitting preparation. Therefore, on these Sundays the readings are taken from Isaiah, the episodes of John the Baptist and from the teachings of St. Paul regarding the Second Coming of Jesus. In the remaining two weeks the Church wants the faithful to walk closely with Mary in Her final days of the conception of the Word.