Advent
a term applied by the Christian Church to certain weeks before Christmas. Anciently, the season of Advent consisted of six weeks, and this is still the duration of it in the Greek Church. In the Catholic Church, however, and in the Protestant Churches that Advent, it only lasts four weeks, beginning with the Sunday nearest St.
Andrew's Day (Nov. 30), either before or after. It is appointed to be observed as a season of devotion, being intended to commemorate the coming of Christ in the flesh, and to direct the thoughts to His second coming. This season was observed with great austerity by the primitive Christians.