The winds are blowing. There are first snows falling around the Country and the temperature has certainly dropped. It’s December.
December is such an interesting time. It is so very easy to rush right through it. The hustle and bustle of the season gets to us. Shopping, preparing, cleaning, decorating. Is it a chore or a delight?
It is so hard to slow down and breathe in the holiday season. When I do slow down, I remember:
The feeling of warmth and togetherness of the holidays.
The aesthetic of trees, lights, holly, and colder weather (in my case – snow) is pure bliss.
I know another year is almost over and I have spring to look forward to.
And, yes, it is the time of year we celebrate the birth of Jesus.
It is the time to celebrate Advent.
I’m not ashamed to say that there are certain things in Christianity that I just don’t have a grip on. If I haven’t done a study on it, then it’s somewhat outside of my comfort zone. Advent is one of those. Don’t get me wrong, I basically know what it is. Advent is a season observed in most Christian denominations as a time of waiting and preparation for the celebration of Jesus’s birth at Christmas. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, this year December 1st. Got it.
Outside of that, I know you can light specific Advent candles or read scripture. There are many Advent studies available. Obviously, I haven’t done one.
December is busy. We rush. And rush. And rush more. Then it’s over. I make time for Jesus on Christmas, and Christmas Eve. I mean, He is the reason for it all. I 100% get that. But the rest of the time?
Do I need less rush and more Advent?
I checked in with Christianity.com today looking for clarity on Advent. Explain it to me like I’m a 5 year old.
What Is Advent? The Season’s History, Meaning and Traditions (in part)
Justin Holcomb, Contributing Writer Nov 18, 2024 Christianity.com
(portions of article)
Some people may know that Advent serves as an anticipation of Christ’s birth in the season leading up to Christmas. That’s only part of the story.
What is Advent?
Advent is a four-week season dedicated to reflective preparation for the arrival, “advent”, of Jesus Christ’s Nativity at Christmas time as well and Christ’s expected return in the Second Coming. During this important event on the church calendar, each week of Advent focuses on a different theme – hope, peace, joy, and love. Christians from all denominations and backgrounds celebrate Advent in different ways but all focus on the anticipation of waiting for the arrival of Jesus.
Prepare for Advent 2024 by knowing the holiday dates, spiritual meaning, and Christian practices. Discover the beauty of Advent’s history, traditions, and symbolism!
The liturgical calendar of Advent focuses on the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. Each year, Advent will begin on a Sunday between November 27th and December 3rd. Here are the Advent Sundays for this year, 2024:
First Sunday of Advent – December 1st (Start of Advent 2024) – HOPE
Second Sunday of Advent – December 8th – PEACE
Third Sunday of Advent – December 15th – JOY
Fourth Sunday of Advent – December 22th (End of Advent on Christmas Eve ) – LOVE
The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming” or “arrival,” which translates to the Greek word parousia. Scholars believe that during the 4th and 5th centuries in Spain and Gaul, Advent was a season of preparation for the baptism of new Christians at the January feast of Epiphany, the celebration of God’s incarnation represented by the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus (Matthew 2:1), his baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist (John 1:29), and his first miracle at Cana (John 2:1). During this season of preparation, Christians would spend 40 days in penance, prayer, and fasting to prepare for this celebration; originally, there was little connection between Advent and Christmas.
What Does Advent Symbolize?
Advent symbolizes the church’s present situation in these “last days” (Acts 2:17, Hebrews 1:2) as God’s people wait for the return of Christ in glory to consummate his eternal kingdom. The church is in a similar situation to Israel at the end of the Old Testament: in exile, waiting and hoping in prayerful expectation for the coming of the Messiah. Israel looked back to God’s past gracious actions on their behalf in leading them out of Egypt in the Exodus, and on this basis, they called for God once again to act for them. In the same way, the church, during Advent, looks back upon Christ’s coming in celebration while at the same time looking forward in eager anticipation to the coming of Christ’s kingdom when he returns for his people.
In this light, the Advent hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” perfectly represents the church’s cry during the Advent season:
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appears.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
While Israel would have sung the song in expectation of Christ’s first coming, the church now sings the song to commemorate the first coming and expects the second coming in the future.
Advent Traditions and Celebrations
To balance the two elements of remembrance and anticipation, the first two Sundays in Advent look forward to Christ’s second coming, and the last two Sundays look backward to remember Christ’s first coming. Over the course of the four weeks, Scripture readings move from passages about Christ’s return in judgment to Old Testament passages about the expectation of the coming Messiah to New Testament passages about the announcements of Christ’s arrival by John the Baptist and the Angels.
Different Christian denominations have variations in how they observe Advent, but here are some common traditions and practices associated with the holiday season:
Advent Wreath: Lighting candles on an Advent wreath is a common practice. The wreath typically has four candles, each representing one of the four weeks of Advent. A new candle is lit on each Sunday leading up to Christmas.
Advent Calendar: Many families and churches use Advent calendars to count down the days until Christmas. These calendars often have small doors or pockets that conceal a treat or a small item to be opened each day in December.
Scripture Readings: Reading passages from the Bible that focus on the prophecy and anticipation of the Messiah is a common Advent tradition. This can include readings from the Old Testament, particularly from the book of Isaiah.
Prayer and Reflection: Advent is a time for spiritual reflection and prayer. Many Christians use this season to prepare their hearts for the celebration of the birth of Jesus.
Jesse Tree: The Jesse Tree is a symbolic way of recounting the genealogy of Jesus, starting from Jesse, the father of King David. Each day, a different ornament or symbol is added to a tree or wreath, representing key figures and events from the Old Testament that led to the birth of Jesus.
Acts of Kindness and Charity: Advent is also seen as a time of giving and helping others. Many Christians engage in acts of kindness, charity, or volunteer work during this season.
Christmas Hymns: Singing hymns and carols that focus on the themes of Advent and Christmas is a common tradition.
Nativity Scenes: Setting up a nativity scene at home or in church is a tradition that helps focus on the central story of Christmas—the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.
Advent Readings and Themes for Each Week
Advent readings are themed Scripture readings for each Sunday of Advent. In many homes, a candle is lit on each Sunday while Scripture is read. The four weeks of Advent are broken down into the themes:
- First Week, Candle of Hope: Isaiah 9
- Second Week, Peace Candle: Isaiah 40
- Third Week, Joy : Matthew 2
- Fourth Week, Love Candle: John 3
Advent Prayer
Prayer is a beautiful way to help cut away from distractions of the season and open your heart to prepare for the joy and hope of Christ’s birth. Here is a sample prayer to use during the season to focus your heart and mind on the birth of Jesus Christ.
This Advent, Lord, come to the manger of my heart.
Fill me with Your presence from the very start.
As I prepare for the holidays and gifts to be given,
Remind me of the gift You gave when You sent Your Son from Heaven.
The first Christmas gift was the greatest gift ever.
You came as a baby born in a manger.
Wrapped like the gifts I find under my tree,
Waiting to be opened, to reveal Your love to me.
Restore to me the wonder that came with Jesus’ birth,
When He left the riches of Heaven and wrapped Himself in rags of earth.
Immanuel, God with us, Your presence came that night.
And angels announced, “Into your darkness, God brings His Light.”
“Do not be afraid,” they said, to shepherds in the field.
Speak to my heart today, Lord, and help me to yield.
Make me like those shepherd boys, obedient to Your call.
Setting distractions and worries aside, to You I surrender them all.
Surround me with Your presence, Lord, I long to hear Your voice.
Clear my mind of countless concerns and all the holiday noise.
Slow me down this Christmas, let me not be in a rush.
In the midst of parties and planning, I want to feel Your hush.
This Christmas, Jesus, come to the manger of my heart.
Invade my soul like Bethlehem, bringing peace to every part.
Dwell within and around me, as I unwrap Your presence each day.
Keep me close to You, Lord. It’s in Your wonderful Name I pray. Amen.
~Renee Swope, “The Manger of My Heart” from Proverbs 31 Ministries
So why celebrate Advent?
While Advent is certainly a time of celebration and anticipation of Christ’s birth, it is more than that. It is only in the shadow of Advent that the miracle of Christmas can be fully understood and appreciated, and it is only in the light of Christmas that the Christian life makes any sense. Even a 5 year old and understand that.
For God and you,
Deb Bostwick
Singles Blogger