Advent is the first (1st) season of the Church’s liturgical year, beginning on the fourth (4th) Sunday before Christmas (Advent Sunday) and running through Christmas Eve. The name comes from a Latin word meaning “coming,” the reference being both to the birth of Jesus and to His final coming in power and great glory. Advent is a season of preparation to remember the LORD Jesus Christ’s Incarnation at Christmas and in looking forward to the fulfillment of His promise to return again. The emphasis in many of the Advent Bible readings is on the end time (second coming of Christ) and on God’s promises for the people of Israel and the Church of Christ Jesus. Advent should and must receive our renewed emphasis as we the Church, the Body of Christ, seek to counter the secularization of Christmas as a cultural holiday characterized by conspicuous consumption. The liturgical color is purple (or blue) in anticipation of our coming royal King.