The Lifespring! WhyChristmas Advent Calendar is back. These special episodes were first recorded in 2006 and are now presented again in 2025 so that you can walk day by day toward Christmas with the Lifespring family, James Cooper from WhyChristmas.com, and your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. The story of Advent and Christmas is timeless, even if some of the old phone numbers and links have changed. What This Episode Is About In Day 1 of the Lifespring! WhyChristmas Advent Calendar, Steve introduces the series and welcomes his friend James Cooper, the creator of WhyChristmas.com. Together they explore a simple question that many of us have heard but may never have really thought about: what is Advent and why does it matter for followers of Jesus today? James explains that Advent marks the start of the traditional church year and covers the weeks leading up to Christmas. He walks through the meaning of the word “Advent,” which refers to a coming, and unpacks three ways Christians think about that coming. We look back to the first coming of Jesus as a baby in Bethlehem, we welcome Jesus into our lives in the present, and we look ahead to his future return as King and Judge. Advent is meant to help us prepare our hearts, not only our homes, for Christmas. Advent Traditions and Symbols This episode also gives an overview of some of the ways Christians mark the Advent season. James talks about Advent calendars, Advent candles, and Advent wreaths, and shares how families and churches use them as daily or weekly reminders that the light of Christ is drawing near. You will hear how different candles can symbolize Old Testament prophets like Isaiah, the whole of Scripture, Mary, John the Baptist, and finally Jesus himself, the light of the world. If you want to dig deeper into Advent customs and their meanings, you can read more at this Advent page on WhyChristmas.com. For a Scripture reading that fits the theme of Advent hope and light, a passage like Isaiah 9:2–7 is a great place to start. Why Advent Still Matters It is easy to get caught up in shopping, schedules, and holiday stress, and to forget why we celebrate Christmas in the first place. In this conversation, Steve and James invite you to slow down and let Advent turn your attention back to Jesus. The candles, calendars, and carols are not the point by themselves. They are signposts that point to the One who came for us, who wants to be present with us now, and who will come again. As you listen, think about how you might build a simple Advent practice into your own rhythm this year. It could be as small as lighting a candle in the evening, reading a short passage of Scripture, or opening a door in an Advent calendar and saying a brief prayer of thanks. The goal is not to add pressure. It is to make a little space for hope, anticipation, and worship in the middle of a busy season. Stay Connected You can explore more teaching and storytelling from Steve at LifespringMedia.com, and you will definitely want to bookmark WhyChristmas.com for more Christmas traditions from around the world. Together, these Advent episodes and the resources at WhyChristmas.com can help you keep Christ at the center of your celebrations this year. Thank you for joining Day 1 of the Lifespring! WhyChristmas Advent Calendar. Come on back tomorrow as we open the next “door” and continue our journey toward Christmas together.