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15 unique facts about Advent with
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Advent originally focused more on
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Christ's second coming than his birth.
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Source: Early Church history, fourth,
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sixth century. Advent was a season of
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repentance anticipating Jesus return.
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Challenge. Are you preparing your life
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more for Christmas or for Christ's
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The word advent comes from the Latin
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adventus meaning arrival or coming
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source Latin vulgate plus early
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Challenge what area of your life needs
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Christ's arrival most right now.
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Advent has roots in early Christian
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Source: history. St. Martin's Lent, a
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40-day period of repentance before
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challenge. What spiritual discipline
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could you add this month to draw closer
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The four Sundays of Advent develop
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distinct themes: hope, peace, joy, love,
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source, tradition, standardized in
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medieval church practice.
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Challenge. Which of these four themes is
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missing most in your life?
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Advent emphasizes light breaking into
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Source: Bible, Isaiah 9:2, John 15.
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Symbolized through candle lighting.
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Challenge. Where is God calling you to
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bring light into someone's darkness?
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The Advent wreath originated in 16th
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Source: History. German Lutheran used
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evergreens to symbolize eternal life.
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Challenge. What tradition could you
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begin that points your family toward
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The colors of Advent carry deep meaning.
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Purple, repentance. Blue, hope, rose,
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Source: tradition, lurggical color
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development over centuries.
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Challenge. Which color best reflects
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your spiritual condition this Advent?
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The Godette candle signals a shift from
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repentance to joyful anticipation.
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Source: Latin liturgy. Gaudet. Rejoice.
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Challenge. What is one blessing you can
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rejoice in today? Even if life is
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Advent teaches the three comeings of
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Christ. History, mystery, and glory.
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Source: Church fathers. Bernard of
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Challenge. Which coming of Christ do you
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think about the least and why?
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Advent connects Old Testament prophecy
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with Christian hope. Source: Bible:
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Isaiah, Micah, Malachi.
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Challenge: How does fulfilled prophecy
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strengthen your confidence in God's
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Advent was once observed with strict
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fasting and confession.
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Source: Early Church cannons. Advent
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resembled a second Lent.
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Challenge. What sin or habit do you need
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to confess and lay down this month?
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Advent hymns are different from
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Source: Church tradition. Advent longs
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for Christ. Christmas celebrates him.
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Challenge. Are you longing for Jesus or
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just longing for the Christmas season?
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Advent calendars began as a Christian
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tool for daily spiritual preparation.
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Source: History: 19th century German
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families marked days with scripture or
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Challenge: How can you build daily
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anticipation for Jesus, not just
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Advent began the Christian year in many
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Source: Lurggical Tradition. The year
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starts with waiting for Christ.
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Challenge. What new beginning do you
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need God to help you make right now?
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Advent invites believers to hold both
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longing and celebration.
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Source: Bible Plus tradition.
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Remembering Christ's first coming while
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longing for his return. Revelation
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Challenge. Which do you feel more
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strongly this season? Longing or
