The Advent season has begun. If you’re not too familiar with this tradition, don’t worry. You’re not alone. But if you do, know that we’ll be focusing together on Advent in the coming days.
So, just what is Advent anyway? You might have seen or even used one of those clever Advent calendars. You know the ones. Where you open up a little door each each day in December only to find a surprise behind each one.
For the church as a whole, Advent used to be known as the beginning of the Church Year (for most churches in Western civilization that is). It usually begins the Sunday after Thanksgiving, (the one closest to November 30), and ends on Christmas Eve (Dec .24). Advent has its very own colors too.
I have an Advent wreathe in my house. On the 1st Sunday of Advent, I light the first candle in that wreath. (There are four candles in it by the way.) Three are purple. Then, I light one additional candle each Sunday. This Sunday I will light the candle of HOPE.
The word Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus, the Christ – his first Advent – and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent.
Basically, it’s all about anticipation. Anxiously awaiting the coming King. The Anointed One. The Messiah. And the hope He will bring. To Christians, that Hope is the assurance of eternal life.
Light a candle this week won’t you? And be reminded: He has come.
Just my thoughts.
S.
