The Wonderful Season of Advent

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At a time when lights are glistening and the neighborhood is all aglow.  Sleigh bells are ringing and we’re all wondering if there’ll be snow.  Let’s take some time and turn our hearts, not to the anticipation of what’s under the tree, but let us focus on the one who was born to die for you and me. 

O Come Let Us Adore Him, Christ the Savior is Born. 

So let’s join together in our homes and celebrate a tradition that has, to some, gotten lost and unfortunately, just as commercialized as everything else as it relates to the birth of Christ, a time we’ve come to know as Christmas.

The Season of Advent is a time of referential reflection of the birth of Christ and a joyous anticipation of His triumphant return.  Advent, which means “coming” or “arrival” is a time for us to celebrate and anticipate which was and is and is to come.  Advent usually begins with the last Sunday in November or the 1st Sunday in December and last 21 to 28 days through Christmas Eve.  If Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday, it is counted as the 4th Sunday of Advent, with Christmas Eve beginning at sundown on December 24th.  This year, Advent will begin on Sunday, November 29, 2020.  Celebrating Advent in the home allows for a time of unity because everyone can participate.  It is also an opportune time to redirect our focus from so much of the commercialization of the season and center around biblical truths.  Preparing for Advent starts by placing a wreath (real or artificial) in a central area in your home, usually the dining table.  Place three purple and one pink candle around the wreath and a white candle in the center.  The wreath represents God and his endless love and mercy towards us and our hope in Him.  The lighting of the candles represents the light of God coming into the world through Jesus Christ, the second of the triune trinity.  The first purple candle represents Hope and the other purple candles represent Love and Peace.  The pink candle represents Joy.  Each Sunday of Advent a scripture is read, a prayer is offered and a devotional is given, all center around the birth of Christ, his life, death, and resurrection and our hope in His return.  On the first Sunday one purple candle is lit representing our hope in the Son of God.  On subsequent Sundays the first candle is lighted as well as the next candle.  On the third Sunday the pink candle is lighted to express our joy.  On Christmas day all the candles are lighted including the white candle representing the birth of Christ. There are calendars with daily readings available on line or in your local stores that can be read during this 21/28 day celebration.  Some have commercialized and trivialized Advent as a simple countdown of days before Christmas with calendars of pictures like teddy bears and other things, but celebrating Advent provides an opportunity for family devotion and prayer.  A time of Hope, Love, Joy, Peace, and Faith in a Savior who gave His life that we might have life more abundantly.  

Recommended Readings

Purple Candle November 29, 2020 Hope Is 9:2, 6-7

Purple Candle December 6, 2020 Peace Is 53:5 John 14:27

Pink Candle December 13, 2020 Joy Matt 2:10-11

Purple Candle December 20, 2020 Love John 3:16-19

White Candle December 24, 2020 FAITH Heb 11-12:1-2

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