Looking at the Advent markets, chocolate and nuts during the Advent season, it is hard to imagine today that Advent was once a time of fasting and repentance.

The four Sundays are symbolic of the four thousand years that people had to wait for the promised Redeemer to come (Genesis 3:17).

Others see four cardinal points, as the four seasons, the four elements (fire, water, air and earth) and the four cardinal virtues (prudence, justice, prudence, bravery).

In Revelation 19, at some point in the apocalypse, God is praised with four hallelujahs. “Hallelujah” means “Praise be to God”. It is the cry of victory, gratitude and praise. Christ begins his dominion.

At the Council of Lerida in 524, Advent was established for four weeks.

The Orthodox Church celebrates Advent for six weeks.

The year of the Catholic and Protestant churches begin on the first Sunday in Advent.

What does the Advent season mean to you?