Advent: a poem

Advent. The word conjures up visions of calendars and chocolates and shopping days until Christmas; of putting up lights and colorful decorations, trimming trees, shopping for presents, wrapping presents, baking, singing, and breaking down in tears from the stress of it all. In a word, Advent is a time of preparation. But preparation for what? What relevance could this ancient seasonal observance possibly have for busy moderns?