What is Advent?
Ad•vent \ ad-vent
Advent is from the Latin word adventus which means “coming.”
During the four weeks before Christmas churches remember the first advent when
the Lord Jesus Christ came roughly 2,000 years ago as our Savior and look forward
to the second advent when He will return as king and judge at the end of time.
The Spirit of the Season
When Advent is observed in the home or in the church it is a seasonal tradition
that reminds the believer what they have in Christ.
A spirit of Hope. Colossians 1:27 which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
A spirit of Peace. Romans 5:1 we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ
A spirit of Love. Romans 5:5 because the love of God has been poured out within
our hearts.
A spirit of Joy. John 15:11 These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. For children and unbelievers,
it plants spiritual seeds that grow into understanding
of the reason for the special season.
Symbols that are Used
Wreaths – symbolizing the promise of eternal life through Christ
- The never-ending circle represents the eternal.
- The evergreen represents life when everything else appears dead.
- A candle placed inside the wreath symbolizes the Light coming into the
world.
Candles – symbolize the Light that has come into the world.
- There are three burgundy candles representing hope, peace, and love.
- There is one red representing the joy of new life, because of the cross.
- There is one large white candle in the middle which is lit on Christmas Eve
for Jesus birth.
Calendars – symbolize a daily countdown to the celebration of Christmas.
- Advent ranges in length anywhere from 22 to 29 days.
- In the 1800s Germans were known to place twenty-four bags around the
wreath with small gifts inside for children to open each day to countdown
the days until Christmas. - Today there are various advent calendars and they may have gifts or
various tasks associated with each day until Christmas.