Question 164: What is Advent?

Answer:

Advent is the first season of the Church Year, a time of waiting, repentance, and hopeful expectation. It prepares us to celebrate Christ’s first coming at Christmas and to look forward to His second coming in glory. In Advent, we are called to awaken our hearts, examine our lives, and long for the return of the King. (Isaiah 40:3–5, Romans 13:11–12, Matthew 24:44, Revelation 22:20)

Full Scripture References

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God… And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all humanity together will see it.’” — Isaiah 40:3–5 (BSB)

“And do this, knowing the time. It is already the hour for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near.” — Romans 13:11–12 (BSB)

“For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.” — Matthew 24:44 (BSB)

“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” — Revelation 22:20 (BSB)

Expanded Explanation of Catechism Question

Advent is the beginning of the Church Year and a season set aside to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. It spans the four weeks before Christmas and calls us to live in watchfulness and hope. Advent is not just about remembering the birth of Jesus—it is about longing for His return and being renewed in repentance and faith.

The name “Advent” comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “coming.” In this season, the Church looks in three directions: backward to Christ’s first coming in humility, forward to His second coming in glory, and inward as we prepare our hearts to meet Him.

Canon Dr. Joel Scandrett (Trinity School for Ministry) writes, “Advent wakes the Church up. It tells us that the world is not as it should be, and that Christ is coming to make all things new. It is a season of hope—but also of urgency.”

Bishop Stewart Ruch (Diocese of the Upper Midwest, ACNA) explains, “Advent teaches us how to wait with faith, to repent with hope, and to live with holy expectancy. It trains us to long for the King.”

The 1662 Book of Common Prayer begins the Church Year with collects and readings that emphasize watchfulness, judgment, and the return of Christ. The first Collect for Advent Sunday asks, “Give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness and put upon us the armour of light.”

J.C. Ryle reminds us, “Let every Advent season find us ready. Christ will come again. We must not sleep as others do. Our lamps must be lit, our hearts awake, and our faith alive.” (Practical Religion, 1878)

Archbishop Foley Beach (ACNA) has said, “Advent is not about shopping and sentiment—it’s about crying out, ‘Come, Lord Jesus!’ It’s the Church on its knees, watching and waiting.”

Advent glorifies Christ by proclaiming that history belongs to Him. It calls the Church to live between His comings—faithful in the present, repentant from the past, and expectant for the future.

Early Church Fathers on Catechism Question

St. Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 313–386 AD): “We preach not one coming, but a second also. The first was in humility; the second will be in glory. Let us prepare, for we do not know the hour.” — Catechetical Lectures, 15.1

St. Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD): “He came first that He might be judged; He will come again to judge. Let us live now in such a way that we may rejoice at His appearing.” — Sermon 18

St. Gregory the Great (c. 540–604 AD): “The season of Advent teaches us to sigh for the Redeemer. Let us not cling to the present world, but look with longing for the joy that is to come.” — Homilies on the Gospels, 1.1

St. Maximus of Turin (d. c. 465 AD): “Let us celebrate the coming of the Lord with fasting, with prayer, with good works—for He who came once in mercy will come again in majesty.” — Sermon 61