This year, let’s do Advent. Let’s do it with our families, our small groups, and our churches. Instead of our cheesy slogans about “the reason for the season,” let’s practice a sacred season for the sake of the reason. Let’s joyfully embrace the fact that we will do Advent in the midst of a culture that loves Christmas but doesn’t really understand it. When the church reclaims Advent, the culture will behold Christmas.
The Beautiful Symbolism of the Advent Wreath
For many Christians, Advent Wreaths are a favorite way to celebrate the month of December leading up to Christmas Day. Even though Advent Wreaths are popular among Christians, many are not aware of the rich meaning and symbolism embedded in the tradition. If we learn this meaning, we can appreciate it all the more!
Darkness and Light
The Advent candles readily demonstrate the strong contrast between darkness and light. In the Bible, Christ is referred to as the “Light of the World” contrasted with the darkness of sin. Human history spanned long ages before our prophesied Savior would finally make his appearance, and with him God’s promise to make all things new through him. As his Advent, or “coming,” draws nearer another candle is lit, each candle dispelling the darkness a little more. Thus, the Advent wreath helps us to spiritually contemplate the great drama of salvation history that surrounds the birth of God Incarnate who comes to redeem the human race.
Shape: The circular shape of the wreath, without beginning or end, symbolizes God’s complete and unending love for us—a love that sent his Son into the world to redeem us from the curse of sin. It also represents eternal life which becomes ours through faith in Jesus Christ.
Number: The Advent Wreath traditionally holds four candles which are lit, one at a time, on each of the four Sundays of the Advent season. Each candle represents 1,000 years. Added together, the four candles symbolize the 4,000 years that humanity waited for the world’s Savior—from Adam and Eve to Jesus, whose birth was foretold in the Old Testament. Some Advent wreath traditions also include a fifth white “Christ” candle, symbolizing purity, that is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas day. Many circular wreaths can incorporate a white candle by adding a pillar candle to the wreath center.
Color: Violet is a liturgical color that is used to signify a time of prayer, penance, and sacrifice. Advent, also called “little Lent,” is the season where we spiritually wait in our “darkness” with hopeful expectation for our promised redemption, just as the whole world did before Christ’s birth, and just as the whole world does now as we eagerly await his promised return.
You can print the picture below and color the candles with your children or grandchildren - while you are coloring with them - teach them the meaning behind Advent.
During the first two weeks of Advent we light the first two purple candles.
The Third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday.
On this day we celebrate that our waiting for the birth of Jesus on Christmas day is almost over. Rose is a liturgical color that is used to signify joy, so we light the single pink candle on the third Sunday of Advent.
Then on the fourth Sunday of Advent, the final purple candle is lit to mark the final week of prayer and penance as we wait expectantly for the soon-coming birth of the King of Kings.
Traditionally, each of the four Advent candles have a deeper meaning which you can read more about in many Advent prayer books that are available.
- The 1st Sunday of Advent symbolizes Hope with the “Prophet’s Candle” reminding us that Jesus is coming.
- The 2nd Sunday of Advent symbolizes Faith with the “Bethlehem Candle” reminding us of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.
- The 3rd Sunday of Advent symbolizes Joy with the “Shepherd’s Candle” reminding us of the Joy the world experienced at the coming birth of Jesus.
- The 4th Sunday of Advent symbolizes Peace with the “Angel’s Candle” reminding us of the message of the angels: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.”
Assignment for the Week:
- For those who were present during the study - each person pulled a card out of a bag (twice) with one of the following words: Hope, Faith, Joy, Peace. You are to research Scripture containing your word and choose the one that speaks to you - write it on the index card and bring with you next Monday night where we will insert each one into a different date of the Advent Calendar
- Betsy = Peace, Faith; Carol = Peace, Joy; Lois = Joy, Hope; Judi = Joy, Faith; Darlene = Joy, Peace, Gretchen = Hope, Faith; Jane = Faith, Joy; Lucille = Hope, Peace; Linda = Faith; Hope; Barbara = Hope, Peace; Gloria = Peace, Joy; Maryann M = Hope, Faith
- Lois will bring an Advent Wreath next week and we will (weekly) like the Advent Candles
- In your workbook - please read the Intro (pages 7 - 9); read Perspectives on Hope (pages 11 - 21); answer questions on pages 22 - 23 and be prepared to discuss. Optional: Make a Hope Chest on page 24
- For those following along on the blog who do not have a workbook - the Scriptures for the First Sunday of Advent are: Jeremiah 33:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 and Luke 21:25-36