The observance of Advent began sometime in the fourth century. It was originally a time of preparation for baptism. The focus was on penance and fasting.
In the mid-300’s, Constantine the Great built the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and declared Christmas a national holiday.
Julius I, Bishop of Rome in AD350 declared December 25th the birthday of Jesus.
After the official declaration of the 25th as Christ’s birth, the holiday began to become more celebratory.
The Reformation rejected the fasting aspect of Advent.
Dan Pryor is an adjunct professor of Organizational Communication at St. Edward's University and a member of First Baptist Church.
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