What Ever Became of Advent Fasting and Penance? | Community in Mission

Traditionally Advent was a time we would, [as during] Lent, take part in penitential practices such as fasting and abstinence... But long gone are the days of a forty day fast beginning on Nov 12.

Source: What Ever Became of Advent Fasting And Penance? - Community in Mission : Community in Mission

My sense of the situation is that Advent differs from Lent in that it's a season of joyful anticipation of the Coming (literal meaning of "Advent") of Christ: both His First Coming, as the Babe of Bethlehem, and his Second Coming, with power and great glory, at the end of time (whatever form that may take). That said, there is also the aspect of penitent preparation for that arrival that we sometimes do miss... and in so doing, I think we lose something important. A very good article! Giants, indeed.