Advent is the first season of the church year. It begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas and ends the day before Christmas. Advent comes from the Latin word for "coming". The season is a time for preparation and expectation to celebrate the Lord's birth as well as for Christ's final coming to the world "in power and glory."
Each Sunday in this season is marked by lighting a candle in the Advent Wreath with special prayers. Children are the main celebrants of this special service. Advent calendars are sold in many shops. These feature 25 "windows" in a scene which open to reveal a hidden treasure. One is opened by a child each day, the last "window" reveals the Christ Child in the manger.
The First Week in Advent
This is Sunday begins the week of Anticipation.The purple candle which is lit is called the Prophets' candle or Candle of Hope. We are reminded to speak the word. The Hymn, O Come, O come Emanuel is associated with it.
This week looks to the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Hebrew Bible. We remember that the bright light of glory that poured onto Bethlehem's hills was given its spark of life in ancient times by those like Isaiah who were given a vision of God's bright future and began to cause it to burn with radient light.
The Second Week in Advent
We begin the Preparation for the coming of Christ this week. The second purple candle is the Bethlehem Candle or Peace candle. We hold an image of the Cradle of Christ. Joy to the World, the Lord is Come, is the hymn which reflects this week's meditations.
During this week we are encouraged to visualize the dark streets of Bethlehem and consider that such a small backwater town could be the birthplace of mighty kings. Even though the streets are dark to our eyes, an everlasting light shines forth. Here, in this unexpected place, our hopes, concerns and desires may be met with love, compassion and tenderness.
The Third Week in Advent
Rejoicing is the theme for the week. The third candle, the Shepards' or Joy Candle,is pink. Our image for the week is to share the story. This week's hymn is Angels we Have Heard On High.
Here, we recall the shepards who heard the message of joy told to them by the angels. They moved from terror to wonder, from wonder to belief, from belief to action, from action to worship and from worship to witness. They were the first to witness the Good News, God made Manifest, and to share their witness with those they met.
The Fourth Week in Advent
This week we explore Hope. Our final purple candle in the Advent Wreath is the Love or Angels'candle. In this week we are encouraged to sing of joy. The hymn reflecting this is, of course, Joy To The World, The Lord Is Come.
With all four candles blazing with light, we celebrate the light of heavenly glory and the celestial chior sent to bring the glad tidings to we mortals. As we bath in this light, we too join the heavely host. We too are members of God's choir sent forth to spread the Gosple of Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace to a broken world.
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