Advent

From Conservapedia

Advent (from the Latin adventus meaning "coming" or "arrival") is the season before Christmas. It includes four Sundays starting with the one nearest Saint Andrew's Day (November 30th) and marks the beginning of the church year.

Advent has been observed since the 6th century as a season of meditative anticipation for the day of Christmas and the celebration of Jesus' birth and his future Second Coming.

Sources

The New American Desk Encyclopedia, Penguin Group, 1989