What is Advent?

The Christian season of Christmas actually begins on Christmas Eve and lasts for twelve days, ending on January 6. The time before Christmas is Advent, a season of preparation for Christmas. Christians prepare for celebrating the birth of Jesus by remembering the longing of the Jews for a Messiah. n Advent, we!re reminded of how much we ourselves also need a "avior, and we loo# forward to our "avior!s second coming even as we prepare to celebrate his first coming at Christmas. The word $Advent% comes from the &atin word adventus, which means $coming% or $visit.% n the season with this name, we #eep in mind both $advents% of Christ, the first in 'ethlehem and the second yet to come.

Advent
(ne of the central items in the Christian celebration of Advent is the Advent )reath. Advent is the season of celebration during the four wee#s prior to Christmas. Each wee# one of the Advent candles are lit as a means to remind us about the coming of Jesus. The candles are each symbolic of a different facet of the Christmas message. *ou may have seen an Advent )reath or candle sets in stores. The Advent )reath itself holds four candles with the center open for a large candle. The candle sets for the wreath come with three purple or sometimes blue candles and one pin# candle. (ne large white candle placed free standing in the center of the wreath. The following is a listing of the traditional lighting se+uence for the candles and the symbolism behind each candle. )ee# (ne, The Candle of -ope ./urple0 The first wee# the first blue or purple candle is lit in a symbolic representation of hope. Christmas is the season of Christ1s arrival and fulfillment of the waiting for Messiah. The hope of Christians is in the "econd Coming of Christ. )ee# Two, The Candle of /eace ./urple0 The second wee#, the first candle is lit again and the second purple candle is lit in the representation of peace. Christmas is #nown as a season of peace. Jesus came to bring us spiritual peace and is #nown as the /rince of /eace. )ee# Three, The Candle of Joy ./in#0 2or the third lighting ceremony, the first two candles are lit and the pin# candle is lit in the symbolism of 3oy. Christmas is as a time of 3oy for many. Christians are reminded of the 3oy they have in Jesus. )ee# 2our, The Candle of &ove ./urple0

The fourth lighting ceremony, the three previous candles are lit and then the final candle on the wreath is lit. The fourth candle is lit in remembrance of love. The Christmas season is an e4pression of the love that 5od has for humanity. Jesus is the highest and greatest e4pression of the love 5od has for us. Christians are reminded to show that love to the world around us. Christmas Eve, The Christ Candle .)hite0 (n the final lighting, usually done on or near Christmas Eve or Christmas, all of the candles on the wreath are lit. The final large white candle in the center is lit. This candle represents Christ and -is coming. This candle is larger than the rest because Christ is the savior of the world. The candle is white to represent the purity and sinless nature of Christ. Advent is a season of preparation for Christmas and the Advent )reath celebrates a reminder of what truly matters at Christmas. t represents the beliefs and the faith of Christians to reveal the deeper meaning of Christmas.

Carol: Joy to the world Advent Prayer

A Prayer for Lighting the Advent Wreath
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, king of the universe. You sent your Son to be the Light of the world and to spread his light of love to all. As we light the candles of this wreath ay its growing brightness re!ind us of the approaching nearness of your Son So that the day of "is co!ing !ay find us prepared and filled with #oy. $e ask this through %hrist our Lord. A!en