Author Heather Martin profileFor many of you, it never left. For those involved in Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, and other denominations that have kept to liturgy, you have been enjoying the long-held tradition of Advent since the 4th century.

Not so for me. Raised in a Baptist church and educated by an Evangelical university, I knew next to nothing about Advent even though I had been a Christian all my life. That is, until the last decade or so.

The number of Evangelicals, Protestants, and non-denominational congregations that have historically leaned away from the liturgy celebrating Advent is rising. In the last 10 years, we have seen a surge of interest in Advent within the institutions connected to these denominations. Churchesschools, and para-church organizations have started embracing aspects of observing Advent. …