Advent means "coming." Advent has historically tied the First Advent (the coming of Christ in the manger at Bethlehem) to the Second Advent (the snatching away of the redeemed as seen in 1 Thess. 4:13-18 and the coming of Christ to the earth in Rev. 1:7, 19:11-16).
Advent is the beginning of the Church Year for most churches in the Western tradition. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, which is the Sunday nearest Nov. 30, and ends on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24). If Christmas Eve is a Sunday, it is counted as the fourth Sunday of Advent, with Christmas Eve proper beginning at sundown.
Here are links to complimentary helps for celebrating Advent as a church family as well as in your home. You have permission to make copies and distribute the following resources.
A Worship Guide for Advent: Includes an outline for celebrating Advent each week.
Children's Sermons: Includes four (one for each week of Advent).