What is Advent and How Can it Help Us Prepare for Christmas?

What comes to mind when you think about getting ready for Christmas? For many, preparations will involve decorating the home, shopping for presents, gifts, and the perfect outfit or Christmas jumper, posting Christmas cards on time, and making sure various work, social, or school Christmas events are in the diary. It may also involve organising travel or other logistics involved in spending Christmas with loved ones.

Many of these are modern considerations. When Advent was first observed, Christmas did not look like it does today. It had not been commercialised, and there was no big red Santa. There was less to distract from celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. And yet, early Christians felt it necessary to spend weeks preparing for it, and they did this through a period called Advent.

Even if you are unfamiliar with Advent or, like me, come from a Christian background that does not overtly observe it, the Advent message of waiting and hope is universal. You don't have to follow a liturgical calendar to see the benefit of spiritual preparation for Christmas.

So, what is Advent, and how can it help us prepare for Christmas?

What is Advent?

Advent is about far more than opening a new door in a calendar filled with treats in the days leading up to Christmas. The word Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, meaning "coming", "an arrival", or "an approach".

Advent is a time to prepare spiritually for celebrating Jesus’ birth and to look forward to His return. During Advent, Christians are invited to reflect on what this means for them personally.

When is Advent?

Advent always starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. This means its length varies each year. This year, Advent begins on Sunday, 30th November 2025.

Although Advent is a set period in the liturgical calendar of observant Christian traditions, individuals can schedule their period of preparation as they feel led by the Holy Spirit. The important thing is to prepare for Christmas with a focus on Jesus as the Coming King.

Waiting for Jesus

Advent is not intended to be just another Christmas tradition or something to help us get in the mood for Christmas. Advent is concerned with our spiritual preparation.

We are supposed to be in a constant state of awaiting Jesus' arrival. Advent is several weeks, not one day, because this creates a sense of building up to and anticipation of Christmas Day with Jesus in mind. Therefore, Advent helps us reflect on how each of our lives and all of life in general is building up to and anticipating Christ's return.

Jesus reminds us to live in alertness:

Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. (Matthew 24:42)

Paul wrote to Titus to encourage him to live each day,

waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13)

The History and Traditions of Advent

Observed from as early as the fifth century AD, Advent initially involved penitence and fasting, making it a period of preparation through reflection and consecration. Over time, many traditions, particularly in the West, moved away from fasting during Advent. Customs continued to involve reflection on the significance of Jesus' birth, with several Advent traditions developing symbolism to help deliver the Christian message of the season.

Advent Wreaths

Wreaths made up of evergreen foliage represent everlasting life found in Christ, which is the source of our hope. Some traditions use different coloured candles as symbols of the season. The wreaths may surround Advent candles.

Advent Candles

Candles may be displayed and lit on different days. Each candle represents one of the four weeks of Advent. There might be three purple candles symbolising penitence, prayer, and preparation, and one pink candle symbolising joy like the shepherds felt when angels told them of Jesus' birth. This joy is available to us through Jesus. Observers may light one candle on the first Sunday of Advent a different candle each Sunday of Advent and a final candle on Christmas Day.

Advent and the Jesse Tree

Perhaps more recently, the Jesse Tree has been used to illustrate Jesus' lineage through the Bible. Each day leading up to Christmas, families add a different paper cut-out or ornament to a tree or poster. These decorations represent Biblical figures and events that led to the birth of Jesus, beginning with Creation. Each is accompanied by a corresponding Bible reading. This tradition highlights God's faithfulness through the ages to His promise of salvation.

How Can Advent Help Us Prepare for Christmas?

Preparing for Christmas involves more than getting ready for a day, because Christmas, or the Nativity, is about more than a day. A common answer I hear to the question, "What is Christmas?" is, "A celebration of Jesus' birthday." However, Christmas is so much more.

Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus because it is significant that God was born as a human being. This leads us to reflect on why it was necessary and what it means for us. The Son of God's arrival as a baby is a fulfilment of prophecy. It has also been prophesied that Jesus will arrive once more, this time to meet with His bride, the church. Advent can help us look back with joy and forward with hope.

Why Should We Prepare Spiritually for Christmas?

If you don't come from a tradition that overtly observes Advent, you may find it challenging to keep Jesus' arrival at the centre of the season. It is easy to be caught up in seasonal festivities or the pressures and anxiety that can be associated with the season. So much can vie for our focus or care that we lose sight of Jesus.

Observing Advent in some way can help to anchor us in Christ rather than in the commercial, relational, social, financial, or culinary aspects of Christmas. It can help us to prioritise celebrating Christ's coming during the nativity and our preparedness for His return.

How to Observe Advent

So what can we do this year to prepare for Christmas in a way that connects us to Christ?

Advent and the Word of God

The Word of God contains prophecies of a Saviour or Messiah coming to earth, it is a record of the events surrounding His birth, and it lets us know that Jesus will return. The Word of God is central to preparing for the coming of Christ, both as a celebration of His birth and in anticipation of His return.

Furthermore, Jesus is the physical manifestation of the Word of God present at creation (John 1:1), and He is the source of all life (John 1:3).

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

It is clear that we cannot separate the Word of God from the Christmas season, so here are some passages you can read during Advent:

• Matthew 1:18-25: This passage describes the circumstances surrounding Jesus' birth, including the angel's message to Joseph about Mary's miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit. It emphasises the fulfilment of prophecy regarding the virgin birth.

• Matthew 2: This chapter includes the visit of the Wise Men (Magi) who come to honour the new born king, as well as King Herod's reaction to the news of Jesus' birth.

• Luke 1:26-38: This passage tells of the angel Gabriel's visit to Mary to announce that she will conceive Jesus (the Annunciation).

• Luke 2:1-20: This is the most detailed account of the nativity story, describing the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, the birth of Jesus, and the visit of the shepherds who angels informed of the Saviour's birth.

  
  

Advent and Prayer

God came to us. He wants a relationship with us. Communion through prayer His will.

Here are some ways to pray during Advent:

• Breath Prayer: Pray the words, "Come, Lord Jesus". Inhale and exhale while focusing on the phrase as a prayer

• Thanksgiving: Give thanks for the ways you have experienced comfort, peace, hope, and joy

• Submission: In light of Jesus's arrival and impending arrival, surrender to His will

• Repentance: Reflect on your heart, decisions, and choices. Give

• Intercession: praying for loved ones to know Christ and for the world Jesus came to experience and receive His love

Advent and Fasting

These days, depending on the Christian traditions you are familiar with, Christmas and fasting might not seem to go together. However, fasting can help us stay focused on Jesus as we prepare to celebrate him. Following a fast in the run-up to Christmas could remind us to avoid overindulging as we celebrate.

Here are two ways to incorporate fasting into Advent:

1. Fast for one day or one meal a week during Advent, while reading about the Nativity in the Bible on fasting days.

Fasting is an opportunity for repentance. As we fast, we can examine our hearts, mindsets, and actions in light of God's Word. Where things don't line up, we can choose to change and ask God for His help.

Fasting is also connected with seeing and serving the neglected and oppressed in society (see Isaiah 58:6-9). Christmas has long been associated with giving gifts, as we celebrate that God gave us His Son (John 3:16). Often, gifts are given to people we know and care about. There may also be the knowledge or even the expectation of reciprocation. This is not the kind of giving associated with fasting or with Christmas. Jesus didn't come into the world knowing He would be welcomed and worshipped. He came knowing He would be rejected and crucified. He came to earth to live and die for our freedom. So whether or not we fast, let's pray to see the needs of others around us and do what we can to alleviate them.

2. Do a Daniel Fast throughout Advent or for a portion of the season.

In Daniel chapter 1, we read that Daniel and his friends were taken into captivity in Babylon to be trained to serve in King Nebuchadnezzar's court, learn the language of his people, and become well-versed in their literature. They were to be fed on the King's delicacies and wine. However, "Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank" (Daniel 1:8). This is likely to be because it would have been dedicated to false gods.

Daniel used what he ate to remain consecrated before the Lord in a foreign land with a culture and religion that did not honour God as Lord. Through a Daniel Fast, we can acknowledge that we, too, are in a foreign land, and one day Christ will return to take us to our eternal home.

A Daniel Fast during Advent can remind us to be intentional about our consumption of food and drink, and to avoid assimilating a Christmas culture that distracts us from the reason for the season.

Advent and Silence & Solitude

We can benefit from actively separating ourselves from the hustle and bustle of the season and instead, focusing on connecting with God and walking in His Spirit. Here are some ways you can practice silence and solitude during the Christmas season:

• Ask the Holy Spirit to prepare you, all of you, for Christ's coming. Then silently follow His leading in prayer, journaling, or reflection.

• Sit in silence and ask Jesus to come to you.

• Slowly and reflectively, write the name 'Immanuel' and its translation, 'God with us', ten times in a journal. As you do, consider what it means for God to be with us.

• Schedule time each week of Advent to reflect on the significance of Christ's birth and future return.

Advent Devotionals

Advent devotionals can help us reflect more deeply on the meaning and implications of Christ's incarnation and return. We can read them at our own convenience and refer back to them as often as we like.

This year, I will be sharing Advent devotionals following the Advent themes of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Each one will include reflection questions, prayer, and Scripture to help us think deeply about each theme. Subscribe today and look out for them in your inbox. Let's prepare for Christmas together.

Keeping the Focus on Jesus at Christmas

We need to remember Jesus as we approach Christmas. Whether or not you formally observe Advent, I hope this post has encouraged and equipped you to keep your heart and mind on Jesus as Christmas approaches.

A powerful way to keep Jesus at the centre of the season is to take Holy Communion regularly and reverently. Jesus told us to do this to remember Him. You can read about this in these passages: Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:18-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 ESV.

This year, why not take Holy Communion daily or weekly during Advent? You could also incorporate Holy Communion into your Christmas Day traditions.

Blessing in Action: What is Advent and How Can it Help Us Prepare for Christmas?

Take ten minutes today to pause. Take as many deep breaths as needed to lay aside any worries or distractions. Shift your attention to Jesus and invite Him to help you prepare for His coming as you prepare for Christmas.

Ask the Holy Spirit what “preparing for His coming” looks like for you this week.

Share your experiences of Advent or how you keep Jesus at the centre of the Christmas season.