If your family has ever attended church services in December, you likely hear multiple weeks devoted to the topic of “Advent.”
Advent is “the period of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ”. The word is derived from the Latin “adventus,” meaning “coming.” Advent’s date of origin is almost impossible to determine. But the purpose of its invention is a little more clear: “In the early centuries of the church, Advent almost certainly arose as a result of the fixed dating of Christmas. Once December 25 became Christmas, it was the center of gravity for the later half of the year—a perfect balance to Easter in the first half. In this way, Advent took on significance the same way Lent did: both were preparation for the more significant season on the horizon.”
Each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas has an advent theme, and often a candle representing that theme:
- The Candle of Hope
- The Candle of Peace
- The Candle of Love
- The Candle of Joy
On Christmas, a final fifth candle is lit to represent the coming of Jesus.
For some of you, the liturgical practice of Advent may seem mundane and forced.
For others, this discipline of preparation is helpful amid the craze of consumerism.
For either, we hope your family embraces the anticipation of this season, and looks forward to the hope, peace, love, and joy that God gifted the world in the form of his Son, Jesus Christ.