The Diocese of Orlando marked this past Sunday, the second of Advent, in part with a post on social media.

In its Sunday, Dec. 5. Facebook post, the Diocese shared instructions for candle lighting and a prayer for the day, in addition to a reading from a Biblical prophet as encouragement during the season of anticipation.

"On this Second Sunday of Advent, light the second violet candle on your Advent wreath representing faith," the Facebook post said. "May we prepare the way of the Lord by strengthening our faith in Him!"

The post included an emoticon of the Cross and a reference to Isaiah 40:3, "The voice of one crying in the desert: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the wilderness the paths of our God."

"Advent" derives from the Latin word "adventus," which means "coming," according to a Loyola Press article. Today, Advent usually is thought of as a season in which to anticipate Christmas and remember the birth of Jesus. But originally, Advent was a time when early Christians prepared to baptize new Christians at the Epiphany. The Advent season was a 40-day period of fasting and prayer for early Christians that became linked during the Middle Ages to Christ's birth at Christmas.

According to Christianity, Advent also is a season to anticipate the Magi's visit with baby Jesus, Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River and Jesus' first miracle during the wedding at Cana. 

The Gospel reading for the second Sunday of Advent this year focused on John the Baptist, who helped people anticipate Christ's coming through baptism and repentance.  

The second candle on the Advent wreath is purple, like the first candle, and is called the "Bethlehem Candle," a reminder of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem, as well as symbolizing faith, according to an article at Mercy Home.