Advent

The liturgical season of Advent takes its name from the Latin word adventus, derived from the verb advenio, which means “I come toward” or “I arrive.” Advent in a general sense refers to any coming or arrival, though in the liturgical sense, of course, it refers to the coming of Jesus Christ to earth. Advent is the season that prepares us for the coming of Christ at Christmas.

Ancient Greek has a different word for arrival with a different emphasis in liturgical and theological connotation. The Greek word παρουσία (parousia) means “presence,” “coming,” or “arrival.” Most literally, this word refers to being near, whereas the Latin word advent implies motion toward. Beyond this subtle etymological distinction, however, the Greek word parousia typically is associated in the New Testament and beyond with the Second Coming of Christ.

So while these two words both mean arrival, they’ve primarily come to represent two different arrivals of Jesus Christ. Why is this important now? It’s impossible for Christians to celebrate one arrival without looking to the other. In the season of Advent, we remember the coming of Jesus at his birth in Bethlehem, but we also necessarily look forward to the Second Coming of Christ or parousia at the end of time. Conversely, any looking forward to Christ’s Second Coming necessarily calls us to reflect also on his first arrival. The two events are inseparably linked, so much so that even the language we use to describe them reflects their relationship.

related topics: greatly troubled; Happy Christmas; magnify; Ordinary Time; parousia; parthenos

you also may like our study of Scripture & the Rosary (digital only)
Scripture & the Rosary: New Testament Mysteries, Old Testament Parallels, a 26-lesson Catholic Bible study with an imprimatur, looks at the biblical foundations of the Rosary. The study includes lessons on Pope St. John Paul II’s Rosarium Virginis Mariae (Rosary of the Virgin Mary), the Apostles’ Creed, and the Luminous Mysteries as well as the original 15 Mysteries of the Rosary. Color photographs of stained glass windows depict key scenes in the lives of Jesus and Mary. Free digital lessons rotate throughout the year on our website.

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