I love the Advent season. I love the anticipation and the countdown. I can't remember a time when our family didn't have an Advent calendar. Of course, as a child I was more focused on getting to the day when we got to open presents.
As an adult, the expectation of the incarnation is amazing to me. Infinite God wrapped in mortal flesh - an all-powerful Lord who chose to be a limited infant. I love trying to wrap my mind around the love motivation which is so fundamental to our faith.
I'm excited to celebrate Advent this year with my small group. I'm digging a little deeper to understand the tradition and liturgy behind the Advent traditions to make sure I get it right!
The Christian season of Advent is a time of preparation and expectation culminating in celebration. This time reminds us of the coming of the Messiah in the incarnation of Jesus, of the implications of the incarnation in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross (a baby born to die!), and of the promise of the second coming when the King will return to to reign and rule.
There are many variations within traditions, but here are some constants: there should be a circle/wreath (which represents God, His eternity and endless mercy); four candles (traditionally 3 purple, 1 pink, - these remind us that Jesus is the light of the world who came into the darkness to bring us hope); a center white candle (which is called the "Christ" candle and lit on Christmas eve or Christmas).
There is no consensus on the meaning of the candles which are lit each of the Sundays before Christmas. Some people suggest that they stand for Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace. Others see them representing the various characters found in the Christmas story: Patriarchs, Prophets, Joseph, Mary or Prophecy, Bethlehem, Shepherds, Angels. Regardless, the candles are used to remind us of the story which leads to the birth of Christ. Many people use Advent as a way to keep Christ in Christmas as the season can be filled with lots of competition for our affections!
This year I will post the devo I do with my small group. Of course, this will be after the fact, but I hope it might inspire your own advent reflections!
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