The name Advent is from the Latin Adventus, 'coming', ie. of Christ, and describes the ecclesiastical season immediately before Christmas. In the West it begins on the nearest Sunday to St. Andrew's Day which is November 30th. It is observed as a penitential season (hence the use of purple in many churches) in preparation not only for Christmas but also for the Second Coming of Christ at the Last Day. The first day of Advent begins the ecclesiastical year.