advent |ˈadˌvent| Formed from a Latin word meaning coming or arrival, Advent is the traditional celebration of the first advent of Jesus and the eager awaiting of His second advent in glory. 

The season is a time for remembering and rejoicing, watching and waiting. In American Christianity, we’ve got that first part down. As soon as Thanksgiving is over (and sometimes even before), we start putting up the tree and listening to our favorite Christmas songs. There’s nothing wrong with doing these things, of course, but the whole point of Advent is not so much celebrating Christmas as it is preparing for Christmas.