10 Days to go- Advent

The liturgical year works through the whole of the salvation story.  Advent is the start of the church year.  The focus of Advent hymns are; Jesus' coming, light from darkness, preparation, and the fulfilling of prophecy. 

The speaker raised an interesting point about the cross over between advent and Christmas.  Should we spend the advent period waiting/preparing for Christmas, or does this detract from the period of advent?