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A Heart’s Response to Advent: Prepare Him Room

What does Advent have to do with worship anyway?

"A prison cell, in which one waits, hopes...and is completely dependent on the fact that the door of freedom has to be opened from the outside, is not a bad picture of Advent." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

If your only memory of Advent is the chocolate candy calendar that leads up to Christmas, you're not alone. The name Advent is not an electronic manufacturer for producing surround sound home theater systems, nor is it a micro-filtration unit for your air conditioner. Advent is a four-week period in which the Church celebrates the coming of Christ that precedes Christmas (His birth). It is a time for each of us to prepare Him room in our lives.

The word "advent" originates from the Latin word for "coming," and, as such, describes the "coming" of our Lord Jesus Christ in flesh (the Incarnation of Emmanuel). Advent is a connotation inspired by our Church heritage, to help us understand the bigger picture of the Gospel. The Advent season signifies the coming (light) of Christ that shines into darkness to give hope and life to a dying world in need of salvation. God's nature is love. (Isaiah 60:1)

The Church Year serves as a timeline of celebrating and remembering God’s work. The purpose for the Church Calendar is to reflect on Biblical seasons that remind us of our faith as we give praise and thanks to God. It also serves as an important teaching tool for our children and neighboring communities to understand the workings of God in the building of His Church and the heritage of our Faith. (1 Thessalonians 1:3)

Each season is also marked by a color to emphasize significance and meaning. We begin the year with Advent (the coming of our Lord) then Christmas (the birth of our Lord).

Epiphany (about His miracles and ministry), Lent and Holy Week (about His Calvary-bound mission) are followed by Easter (about Christ’s resurrection and the sending of the apostles) and then Ascension (40 days after Easter). Pentecost concludes the major delineations (with the sending of the Holy Spirit). Minor celebrated days such as Reformation Sunday, All Saints' Day, and other observances mark important days of the Church's beginnings and the Christian Faith.

Advent causes us to reflect on God’s indescribable Gift to man. Throughout the season, candles may be used to represent each Sunday in Advent and to focus our hearts on God’s great provision – sending Christ, the Light of the world, to humanity.

Traditionally, Advent candles, often held in a wreath, originated in Eastern Germany even prior to the Reformation. Most wreaths involve four or five candles – three purple or blue candles, one pink candle, and a white candle.

The first purple candle represents Hope. The long awaited and expected Messiah has come. (Isaiah 9:6-7)

The second candle represents Love, God’s motivation for sending Christ to take on flesh and to dwell among us. (John 1:1-5, 9-12, 14)

The third candle, a pink candle, indicates Joy and reminds us to rejoice in God’s promise of deliverance. The third Sunday in Advent, or Gaudete Sunday, harkens to the traditional Latin Introit for that day that calls us to “Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)

The fourth candle signifies Peace that is provided through Christ, God’s gift to man. (Romans 5:1-2)

Finally, the fifth candle, the white candle, shines through the 12 days of Christmas (December 25 through January 5) and reminds us of Jesus Christ Himself.

Whether you celebrate Advent annually with candles and a wreath or with a countdown calendar, or even if you have never celebrated Advent in a particular way, this season should cause you to pause. To reflect. To prepare Him room.

Advent has everything to do with worship as we respond to His coming of hope, ever-presence with us, unspeakable joy that overflows our hearts and peace of Salvation, offered to all man-kind.

Reflection:

How is the coming of Christ significant to you? As the Bible announces His coming (both to Bethlehem and in Revelation), what is your heart's response to the coming King? In what way can the Church Calendar and Advent help you prepare Him room? How can you render fresh worship in this season to the One who has come and is coming again?