What is Advent?
The Beautiful Meaning and Purpose of Advent
The Advent season is a four-week period before Christmas that celebrates the anticipation and coming of Jesus Christ. The origin of “advent” is from the Latin word adventus which simply translates “coming” or “arrival”. Not only is the Christian meaning for preparation and celebration of the coming of Jesus Christ, His birth at Christmas, but also to celebrate the new life when someone accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior, and lastly, Advent points to the anticipation of Jesus' second advent His returning again. There are beautiful and rich traditions behind the celebration of Advent. Let us take a deeper look at the focus and themes of each week of Advent and some of the traditions celebrated around the world during the Advent season. Advent is a time to slow down during the busy Christmas season and say “no” to things that distract us from Jesus and say “yes” to the gift that God wants you to experience.
The Four Weeks of Advent
Today, the four Sundays of Advent prior to Christmas each have a specific theme or focus. The Purpose of each theme is to spend time reflecting on the true meaning of the season - the life of Jesus Christ. The Goal should be to come before God with a sincere heart and to worship Jesus Christ. To help the observation of these weeks, many church led their congregation through Advent Readings. This tradition includes the reading of Scriptures that reflect the theme of each week.
Week 1: Hope (or promise) Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned… For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”
Week 2: Preparation (or waiting or prophecy) Isaiah 40:3-5
“A voice of one calling: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’”
Week 3: Joy (or peace) Matthew 2:10-11
“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”
Week 4: Love (or adoration) John 3:16-19
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.”
Advent Wreath and Candles
The Advent wreath first appeared in Germany in 1839. Eventually, the Advent wreath was created out of evergreens, symbolizing everlasting life in the midst of winter since the evergreen is continuously green. The circle reminds us of God’s unending love and the eternal life He makes possible. Advent candles shine brightly in the darkness of winter, symbolizing and reminding us that Jesus came as Light into our dark world. The candles are set in the circular Advent wreath. This involves five candles placed in the wreath. A new candle is lit on each of the four Sundays before Christmas. Each candle represents something different, although traditions vary. Often, the first, second and fourth candles are purple; the third candle is rose-colored. A fifth white candle is placed in the middle of the wreath and is lit on Christmas Day to celebrate Jesus’ birth. The advent candles correspond to the themes of each week of advent. Families and church congregations begin lighting a candle on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, and another candle each subsequent Sunday.
1. The first candle symbolizes hope and is called the “Prophet’s Candle.” The prophets of the Old Testament, especially Isaiah, waited in hope for the Messiah’s arrival.
2. The second candle represents faith and is called “Bethlehem’s Candle.” Micah had foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, which is also the birthplace of King David.
3. The third candle symbolizes joy and is called the “Shepherd’s Candle.” To the shepherd’s great joy, the angels announced that Jesus came for humble, unimportant people like them, too. The third candle is a rose color and signifies joy.
4. The fourth candle represents peace and is called the “Angle’s Candle.” The angels announced that Jesus came to bring peace—He came to bring people close to God and to each other again.
5. The fifth candle represents light and purity and is called “Christ’s Candle.” It is usually a white candle placed in the middle and is lit on Christmas Day.
