Changes

Analogous to the period of preparation for Easter, a fast before the nativity developed in the West into a preparatory season. In addition to the Roman December Embertide, churches in Gaul observed fasts of six weeks or more; a common form was called Saint Martin's Lent, from its beginning on November 11, the Feast of Saint Martin of Tours. That season, known as Advent, developed themes associated both with the advent of Christ at his nativity and the second advent at the end of this world's history, the two advents having been expressed by the same term (parousia) since the Greek theologians of the second century. A forty-day fast is also kept before Christmas in the Eastern churches, but this never received the liturgical articulation of Advent in the West, where Advent today comprises the four weeks (or, in Milan, six weeks) before Christmas.

Analogous to the period of preparation for Easter, a fast before the nativity developed in the West into a preparatory season. In addition to the Roman December Embertide, churches in Gaul observed fasts of six weeks or more; a common form was called Saint Martin's Lent, from its beginning on November 11, the Feast of Saint Martin of Tours. That season, known as Advent, developed themes associated both with the advent of Christ at his nativity and the second advent at the end of this world's history, the two advents having been expressed by the same term (parousia) since the Greek theologians of the second century. A forty-day fast is also kept before Christmas in the Eastern churches, but this never received the liturgical articulation of Advent in the West, where Advent today comprises the four weeks (or, in Milan, six weeks) before Christmas.

==External links==

==External links==

*[http://www.roman-catholic-prayers.com/advent.html Advent prayers and information] at Roman Catholic Prayers

*[https://www.roman-catholic-prayers.com/advent.html Advent prayers and information] at Roman Catholic Prayers

*[http://www.cresourcei.org/cyadvent.html The Christian Season of Advent] at the Christian Resource Institute

*[https://www.cresourcei.org/cyadvent.html The Christian Season of Advent] at the Christian Resource Institute

*[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01165a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia: Advent]

*[https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01165a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia: Advent]

*[http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Advent/default.asp American Catholic: Advent to Epiphany] Prayers, calendar and activities

*[https://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Advent/default.asp American Catholic: Advent to Epiphany] Prayers, calendar and activities

*[http://www.liturgies.net/Advent/advent.htm Liturgical Resources for Advent]

*[https://www.liturgies.net/Advent/advent.htm Liturgical Resources for Advent]

*[http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=3903 Advent FAQ at the Missouri Synod Lutheran web site]

*[https://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=3903 Advent FAQ at the Missouri Synod Lutheran web site]

* [http://www.peanut.org/mike/text/adventan.htm Advent and Age]

* [https://www.peanut.org/mike/text/adventan.htm Advent and Age]

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: Religion]]

[[Category: Religion]]