Advent is the 40-day period before Christmas, which is devoted to preparing for the coming of the Messiah.  It begins on November 15 and extends until December 25.  It is a period of fasting, prayer, scripture reading, church attendance and participation in the sacraments, to enable us to capture the full meaning of Christ’s coming.  At St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Bethlehem, PA, a candle is lit on each of the 4 Sundays in Advent and is accompanied by a Sunday School Student verse and an adult Scriptural reading.  Paulina and Alexandra Duvanova, daughters of Denisa Duvanova, lit the first candle (which is green for faith) and recited the student verse.  The adult Scriptural reading was done by Coordinator of Church Sunday School, Pat Grammes.  The congregation and choir, directed by Nick Lezinsky, ended the lighting ceremony by singing “O Come, O Come, Immanuel”.