Advent is from the Latin word “adventus” which means “coming”! It begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, which is the Sunday nearest November 30, and ends on Christmas Eve, December 24.
For Christians, Christmas is more than the celebration of the birth of Jesus 2000 years ago, it is the anticipation of that day when Jesus will come again, not as a weak and vulnerable baby boy with no place to lay His head, but as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, having been crowned by God the Father with glory, honor and praise.
Advent is also a spiritual journey for all who truly believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. The Scripture readings for each day walk us through those thousands of years of hope, that moment of the ultimate gift of God’s love, that unconditional peace of knowing our sins are forgiven, and that everlasting joy of knowing our eternal destiny is settled forever!
As we see our world drowning in chaos and confusion, and with wickedness and evil being manifested before us, unashamedly, let us begin this advent season with a sense of penitence and contrition for the unconfessed sins in our own heart, and then for God’s people around the world, so that even unbelievers would see their need of a Savior; the One whose birth even they will celebrate, albeit in selfishness.
The Advent wreath is a wonderful tool to help parents tell the real Christmas story to their children. The wreath is an evergreen circle with five candles, four around the wreath and one in the center.
- The circle of the wreath reminds us of God’s eternity – He has no beginning or end.
- The green of the wreath speaks of the hope that we have in God, the hope of newness of eternal life.
- Candles symbolize the light of God coming into the world through the birth of His son.
- The four outer candles represent the period of waiting during the four Sundays of Advent, which symbolize the four centuries of waiting between the prophet Malachi and the birth of Christ.
- The Prophecy Candle – (purple) the candle of hope – Romans 15:12-13
- The Bethlehem Candle – (purple) the candle of peace – Luke 3:4-6
- The Shepherd Candle – (pink) the candle of Joy – Luke 2:7-15
- The Angel Candle – (purple) the candle of love – John 3:16-17
- The fifth candle is the Christ Candle – (white) – John 1:29
As the candles are lighted over the four-week period, it also symbolizes how the demonic darkness of fear and utter hopelessness of this world, as well as the guilt and remorse for our sins, recede to the degree that the Light of the Word is allowed to shine. The flame of each new candle reminds us that something is happening; God is at work, and more is yet to come.
Linda and I join you in this journey, and we pray that God will reveal Himself afresh and anew unto you, as you make room for His Son in your heart! – Pastor Wayne