Summary
CHRISTMAS begins, for many children, when they open they first door on their advent calendar on December 1, with each new picture viewed or chocolate novelty consumed only ratchetting up the excitement day by day until Christmas Eve.
However, the real advent countdown for Christians actually begins today, Advent Sunday, the first of four Sundays in the run-up to Christmas Day.See the full content of this document
Extract
Advent Sundayherald Briefing
In terms of the Roman Catholic and Lutheran liturgical calendar, Advent Sunday is the equivalent of New Year's Day. This is distinct from the Orthodox calendar of the Eastern churches, which begin their liturgical year on September 1. The Eastern Christian equivalent of Advent is called the Nativity Fast, but it differs both in length and observances.
The term "advent" derives from the Latin word "adventus", which is in turn the translation of the Greek word "parousia", commonly used in reference to the Second ...See the full content of this document
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