Call me naive, but it'd be interesting to see if there are any traditions out there that don't formally celebrate the time of "Advent".
From a Catholic perspective this Sunday is the start of the new year in the Church's liturgy and the next 4 weeks up to Christmas are very structured in their time of preparation for the coming of Christ in his nativity.

How does your church prepare patiently for Christmas? Have we forgotten today how to lie in wait?