Season of Advent

Preparation Early December is the season of many preparations — buying presents, decorating trees, etc. Advent is about preparation too, but a different sort than that of buying stocking stuffers and pie ingredients. The word “Advent” means “Coming” During the season of advent, we are preparing for the coming of Jesus, the Messiah What sort of preparation do we need to do this Advent? How is John the Baptist calling us to prepare for Christ’s birth and eventual return?

Overview of Advent Advent marks the beginning of the Christian liturgical year. It is the four weeks before Christmas beginning on November 30 or the nearest Sunday to it. This is like the Church's New Year's Day. We represent advent with a wreath containing five candles. During advent, the church is decorated with purple garments. The purple represents repentance of God's people as they patiently await the arrival of their Lord Purple is also the color of royalty

Candles of Advent Candle #1 Purple Candle of Hope We can have hope because God is faithful and will keep the promises made to us. Our hope comes from God. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:12-13)

Candles of Advent Candle #2 Purple Candle of Peace God kept his promise of a Savior who would be born in Bethlehem. This candle reminds Christians of the Prophets who foretold that the Messiah would be born. ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God’s salvation.‘ (Luke 3:4-6)

Candles of Advent Candle #3 Pink (Rose) Candle of JOY The angels sang a message of JOY. It marks a shift from the more solemn tone of the first two Sundays of Advent that focus on Preparation and Hope, to a more joyous atmosphere of anticipation and expectancy. “…and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son… Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:7-15)

Candles of Advent Candle #4 Purple Candle of LOVE Reminds Christians that God loves them enough to send his only Son to Earth. “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.” (John 3:16-17)

Candles of Advent White Christ Candle The white candle reminds us that Jesus is the spotless lamb of God, sent to wash away our sins! His birth was for his death, his death was for our birth! The central location of the Christ Candle reminds us that the incarnation is the heart of the season, giving light to the world. “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!‘” (John 1:29)

Other Symbolism • The circle of the wreath reminds us of God Himself, His eternity and endless mercy, which has no beginning or end. • The green of the wreath speaks of the hope that we have in God, the hope of newness, of renewal, of eternal life. • The flames 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 themselves symbolize the four centuries of waiting between the prophet Malachi (the last prophet and the last book of the Old Testament) and the birth of Christ.

Acrostic Poems Make an acrostic poem using the word Advent. The lines in the poem should reflect the teachings of this season and the many symbols we have discussed. When your poem is finished, Glue it to a piece of construction paper, and decorate the paper with images to represent the season on advent.

Advent Example All waiting for the arrival of Jesus. December the month of Advent.