[The Words of Advent] HOPESample

Advent

The core message of Christmas is that God, the Creator and King of the universe, became human in the person of Jesus. His arrival was necessary, as He is the only way to our salvation. He not only came to Earth but chose to stay with us, bridging the gap between God and humanity. His sacrifice enabled a relationship with Him and through His resurrection and the sending of the Holy Spirit,

This is what we celebrate during Advent. This word comes from the Latin word adventis, meaning “the coming, the appearing, the arrival.” The church started observing it back in the first century. In the past, Advent had a much greater emphasis on penitence as it mirrored the Lenten season. The early church went through a lot of preparation, getting ready for the celebration of the birth of the Son of God.

From about the seventh century on, Advent began to take on a more celebratory sentiment. It was earmarked by prayer, the lighting of candles, and the Advent wreath, over four Sundays. Advent celebrates the entrance of the Lord Jesus Christ, God Himself, into the world, into our lives, and into the world again when He returns.

The Advent wreath has its own symbolism. It is a circle that represents God’s unending and unbroken love for us. Typically, an Advent wreath has garlands of new boughs that are symbolic of a new life, of being born again in Christ—a reminder to us that the mercies, the forgiveness, and the love of God are fresh every day.

The number and symbolism of the candles used vary among Christian traditions. Most traditions use four or five candles that are either attached to or placed by the wreath.

Three purple candles represent the royalty of Christ, the King of kings, at His birth. The fourth Advent candle, being the rose one, typically signifies joy. It is usually lit on the third Sunday. A fifth candle, called “the Christ candle,” is white and signifies the purity of the Light that came into the world. That candle is lit on Christmas Eve. In other traditions, all candles are white. And some use only one candle to represent the light of Jesus that came into the world.

The flame represents the Light of the world that came into the darkness. It is also a reminder to us that we are supposed to share that Light with our friends, neighbors, and relatives, especially at this time of the year.

Traditionally, Sunday sermons during Advent elaborate on these words: hope, love, joy, and peace. You might have heard so many Christmas or Advent sermons and familiar themes many times over that they may have become less powerful.

But the real power of Christmas remains—Jesus, the Light of the world, came and dwelt among us. John Wesley mentioned matter-of-factly, “the best of all is God with us!”

Refreshing our hearts and minds on the four words that are associated with Advent is a great way for us to keep remembering that whatever the angle, Advent’s focus is on Jesus’ arrival in the past, heralding His return into the future!

Father, thank You for the reminder of the first and second coming of Your Son. Please prepare us for these days of celebration and let us give You glory.