We might be used to understanding Advent as a season of preparing for Christmas.
More than anything, Advent is a season when we look towards Jesus' second coming.
As part of our contemplation of this theme, we look back to centuries long ago when God's people were awaiting the promised arrival of Jesus. They were awaiting his first coming. We now await his return. Many of the prophecies and Scripture passages that spoke to God's people long ago in their waiting also speak to us in our waiting.
It's easy for Advent, and the meaning of Advent, to get overridden by preparations for Christmas and by festivities. To get the most out of a spiritual observance of Advent, it can help to think ahead of time what we will do to 'keep' Advent as a separate season and to enter into it more deeply.
What will most help you over this season to contemplate and prepare for Jesus' second coming? How 'ready' are you to meet with Jesus? How much do you long for Jesus' return? Does the knowledge that Jesus will return to bring his kingdom to completion have any implications for how you feel you should live or care for others?
You may well be making plans for Christmas already. Before Advent Sunday, you might find it helpful to also take a moment to plan what you will do for Advent. How will you make a distinction between Advent and Christmas in your home and in your personal practices? What will be of most spiritual help to you personally in contemplating Jesus' return? What will help you to grow in readiness for it and in eager anticipation for it?
Here are a few ideas that many Christians find helpful:
You might read certain 'Advent themed' Bible passages over this season. There are the Old Testament prophecies about the future coming of the Messiah that also apply to us as we await his promised return. There are the passages such as the parable of ten virgins in which Jesus urges us to stay spiritually alert while we wait for him. The book of Revelation is also a part of our Scriptures that is often read during Advent.
You might decide to save all or some of your Christmas decorations until Christmas Eve itself so that you get the visual contrast in your home between Advent which is a season of waiting, and Christmas which is a season celebrating Jesus' arrival. (We use a similar visual contrast to help us keep Lent separate from Easter.)
For many centuries Advent was treated as a special season for deeper devotion and spiritual preparation. You might want to cut something out of your diet or your life for the few weeks of Advent (like people do in Lent) to help you focus on the themes of readiness for Jesus and longing for him. Or based on the Bible verses about keeping watch, you might want to set aside a bit of extra time for silence or prayer over Advent or use the season to consolidate a good lasting prayer habit. Some churches or religious communities put on Advent services or reflections or quiet days that you might be able to attend.
These are just a few ideas that many Christians find helpful for observing and 'staying in' Advent. They might not all work for you, or you might come up with different ideas of your own. Do what works for you for keeping Advent as a season of waiting quietly and expectantly for Jesus' return.