Do you know what Advent is? What is its origin and meaning for Christians? We offer its history, significance, and visual and audiovisual resources to live this time of preparation for Christmas with faith and hope.

The origins of Advent are a mystery. Although there is no exact date to mark its beginning, it is evident that the early Christian communities felt the need to prepare with special fervor for the celebration of their Lord’s birth. The Council of Zaragoza, in the year 380, was a key milestone in this regard, establishing a period of preparation before Christmas. However, the eschatological dimension of Advent, linked to the hope of Christ’s second coming, has also been present from the beginning. This dual perspective, Christological and eschatological, has enriched the spirituality of Advent over the centuries, inviting us to live in constant anticipation of the Lord, both in his historical coming and in his glorious return.

Advent invites us to live a personal experience with Christ. As we remember his birth, we recall his love for us; and as we await his glorious coming, we renew our hope. This dual dimension allows us to live each day as a preparation for his final encounter.

By adopting the word “Advent“, Christians profoundly express our relationship with Jesus Christ. This term, which means “coming,” not only alludes to Jesus’ historical arrival but also to his constant and mysterious presence in our lives. The King, announced by the prophets, has made his dwelling among us, inviting us to participate in his heavenly court. Through the liturgy, we join the angels and saints to acclaim him as Lord. However, his reign is not of this world; it is a kingdom of love, service, and justice, manifested in the simplest gestures of our daily life. By welcoming Christ into our hearts, we become instruments of his peace and love, bringing his light to a world longing for hope.

Let us live this season with joy and the hope that Our Lord Jesus Christ embraces us with love, from his manger, illuminating the world.

The Regnum Christi website has shared a series of resources to live this period with hope.

Image: Photo by Waldemar on Unsplash