What is Advent? It’s that time of year again when nifty Advent calendars, temptingly positioned at child’s-eye view, are stacked on shelves in almost every store just waiting for the day when each of the 25 window covers will be pulled back and the surprise hidden within will be revealed.

During the season of Advent, which begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, Christians hear Scripture readings and sermons about the events that preceded the birth of Jesus Christ.