an overview of ADVENT

ADVENT

"ADVENT," The beginning of an adventure!

Perhaps you have noticed that Christmas is coming sooner and sooner every year. This year the decorations were on display before Halloween! No wonder we get so frustrated and tired of the whole thing. Deep inside we are yearning for a spiritual holiday. And no wonder that we do, after all, it was God who "set eternity in our hearts." He is always interested in our spiritual posture, temperature, and general good health. Maybe Advent is just what you need to redirect your focus on the living Savior this season.

You may believe that you don't know much about Advent. But, that's probably not true! You may know more than you think. For example, have you seen or used an Advent calendar in your home during the Christmas season? If so, what was the purpose of the calendar? Most likely, it was to 'count down' the days to a climax...Christmas day.

The Church's celebration of Advent dates back to the 4th century A.D. when it lasted six weeks. Sometime in the 6th century A.D. it was established to include the four Sundays prior to Christmas day. Subsequently, it begins on the Sunday nearest to November 30th, and continues through Christmas day. It all leads up to the most glorious celebration of all...our Savior's birth.

Consider the meaning of the word, advent. Other than its strictly religious sense (coming of Christ), it means "coming arrival" [example: the advent of Spring]. The original word is from the Latin for "to come to." Compare advent with its cousin, adventure, which means "an exciting or remarkable experience." Now that makes sense! Shouldn't our walk with God and our quest to be conformed to the image of His dear Son be an exciting and remarkable experience every day of our lives? If you have ever wanted more, especially at Christmas, you need to prayerfully consider adding the Advent celebration to your Christmas traditions. Right now, you may be thinking, "Oh, great! Just what I don't need: one more thing to squeeze in between now and the end of the year." But, if the Holy Spirit directs you, you will be eager to start the adventure!

Advent is rich in spiritual (all scriptural) symbolism. If you don't like symbolism, then you need to start ignoring every rainbow in the sky. God works through symbolism, and we can learn much from it.

First, let us consider the Advent Wreath. Traditionally, it is a circle. The circle symbolizes God's eternal plan---from our birth to our rebirth to eternity in His presence, a never-ending circle of love. The wreath is dressed with evergreens. They symbolize God's undying love for us.

Within the wreath, the four candles are placed. The light of each candle represents Jesus, the light of the world. Nowadays, the four candles are purple (the color of royalty---depicting the reverence due the King of Kings.) Some churches use royal blue (another "royal" color) candles. However, from the earliest times, three purple and one pink candle have been used. I prefer this arrangement for several reasons. First, I like the tradition of it. But, even more importantly, the strange arrangement, of necessity, begs for an explanation. Just sitting there quietly, they become the topic of conversation, and behold! the doors swing open for witnessing opportunities. With that in mind, let's continue to examine the meaning of each separate candle.

The first week of Advent is commonly called the time of "Anticipation or Hope." The candle of the first week is purple. We are anticipating the arrival of the King of Kings. He is heavenly royalty personified. The first candle is referred to as the "Prophecy" candle. The studies (individual, family, or group) that the first week of Advent revolve around concern the prophecies that the King would come. But, Advent takes you one step farther. You never stop with the coming of the infant child king; you pause long enough to absorb the wonder of the virgin birth, God incarnate. Then, you examine the King's coming into your own heart. But, that's still not all! Finally, you look forward, with joyful ANTICIPATION, to the return of the KING! What a way to refocus on the season of seasons! It may be noted that some groups refer to the first candle as the "Hope" candle. What you prefer to call it is your decision. The name is not as important as the reality. The reality must be that you not only believe that He came once, but that He's coming again and you're looking forward to it!

The second week of Advent is called the time of "Preparation." The second candle is also purple. (The second candle is usually referred to as the "Bethlehem" candle.) As Bethlehem was foretold to be the place chosen to prepare for the coming King, we were admonished, ourselves, by John the Baptist, to "prepare [ye] the way of the Lord." During the second week of Advent, we focus on the preparations that need to be made daily to receive a King into our very lives. (On the second Sunday, you re-light the Prophecy candle first, and then light the Bethlehem candle.)

The third week of Advent is called the time of "Joy." The third candle is the pink one. It is traditionally pink (rose-colored) to signify that Jesus is the Rose of Sharon. (It is often called the "Shepherd's" candle.) After all, the good news came to the shepherds and they left all and came with great joy to find their Shepherd King. The symbolism is so very rich here. God became flesh and presented Himself to the lowliest of society. What does he have to do today, in our lives, to restore such heartfelt joy among us? Allow His Holy Spirit to guide you as you encounter fresh joy "unspeakable, and full of glory." (On the third Sunday, you re-light the Prophecy and Bethlehem candles and then light the Shepherd's candle.)

The final week of Advent is called the time of "Peace." The fourth candle is the last purple candle, (commonly called the "Angel's" candle.) And of course, the angels in heaven rejoiced that earth had "received her King." Peace was born that day, on earth, and every man is able to be at peace with God. Study His Word, let it rise up in you, and guide you into perfect peace this blessed season. (This final Sunday you will re-light the Prophecy candle, the Bethlehem candle, the Shepherd's candle, and then finally, you will light the last one, the Angel's candle.)

There remains a single, white candle in the center of the wreath. This is the "Christ" candle, and it represents His purity. You may light it on Christmas eve and again on Christmas day to symbolize the light of the world!

Have you ever arrived someplace only to discover that you "just missed" a beloved friend or family member? That's what Advent is all about. We may have missed His first coming, but He has come into our own lives, and indeed, He's coming again to take us home. Our hearts are filled with peace and reconciliation while we wait, hopefully anticipating the love of God, and His eminent return to restore us into His family forever. If that isn't reason enough to lift Him up daily, and especially at Christmas, then I don't know what is.

                                           LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN!!!