Advent is the Latin word for “coming” or “arrival”. It is a season on the church calendar that has been celebrated around the world for centuries. This is a four-week period leading up to Christmas in which we slow down, look back to the coming of the Messiah, Jesus, and anticipate his second coming as our King. Each week we focus on a different promise that Christ’s coming has brought: hope, peace, joy, and love. Just as John the Baptist told God’s people to “prepare” for Christ to come, we encourage one another to be prepared for his coming again. When he comes all of God’s promises will be fulfilled and all things will be made new.