Advent is the Church’s preparation for Christmas. It’s an annual introspective journey whose purpose is to make sure that our lives continue to be free from materialism and other worldly entanglements that the Christmas season includes. As we begin the journey of Advent, we begin with a proper focus on the darkness that the light of the incarnation permeated. This darkness, among other things, can be recognized in the human condition as despair. Until we understand and appreciate the despair that humanity lives in because of the Fall, we will not be prepared to celebrate Christmas as we should.