Advent calls this darkness to mind and penetrates this darkness with promises about the Light of life. While the world is immersed in preparations for the secular celebration of Christmas, Advent allows the Church time to prepare for rejoicing in the full glow of Christ's light shining in the darkness. The Church prepares for that Light by observing the disciplines of Advent. These disciplines bring to the Church the nourishment that comes from the Lord's life. Advent is a season for immersion in the words of Scripture, especially those promises of Christ's birth, of His life-giving presence in His Church through the Holy Sacraments, and of eternal life at His final coming.
Advent is a season of confession and repentance.
It allows the Church to see its own sin-filled darkness, confess its sin, and receive the Lord's forgiveness. His words that He will come again. By practicing these disciplines in Advent, Christ leads His Church back to the relationship of absolute dependence He has established. So the Church waits in hope for the Lord's final appearance. On that day He, who became what we are to redeem us, will clothe us in the life of His righteousness.