Advent

Advent ("the coming"), in the Church Calendar, is the name given to the four weeks preceding Christmas, or more exactly, which include four Sundays, commencing with the Sunday which falls nearest to St. Andrew's Day (Nov. 30th) - either on, before, or after that day. It is regarded as preparatory to Christmas as Lent is preparatory to Easter. Advent, however, is never so strictly observed as to fasting, etc., as Lent.