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 According to the traditional church calendar, the season of Advent consists of the four Sundays before Christmas and begins the church year. This practice originated in the fourth century as a time to prepare for the celebration of Christ’s birth. Deriving from the Latin word meaning “coming”, Advent focuses on the coming of Christ in two distinct ways: it looks forward to Christ’s birth in Bethlehem, but it also looks forward to Christ’s return.
Appropriately, Advent is a time of anticipation and hope. We share in the hope and longing of those in Old Testament times who waited eagerly for a promised Messiah to come. As that time drew near, John the Baptist “prepared the way” for the Lord’s coming by calling God’s people to repentance. Likewise, during Advent we seek to turn from our sins and make ready for the Lord’s coming. We rejoice with the angels and shepherds in God’s glorious fulfillment of his plan of redemption. Just as God demonstrated his power in coming to earth as a baby, who would grow up to die on the cross for us, so Christ will demonstrate his power when he comes to fully establish his kingdom.
Observing the season of Advent is not a requirement for the church, but I believe that it is a helpful tradition. Certainly the world around us has its own message for this season of the year: buy presents (do your part to help the economy), attend parties, enjoy time with loved ones, and foster a generally positive attitude toward all peoples. Yet God’s message is both more real and more glorious. Though humanity rebelled against their Creator and brought judgment and condemnation down upon the entire creation, God himself became a man in the person of Jesus Christ over 2000 years ago. But this identification with us was not enough. Immanuel came to pay the penalty for our sins that we might be redeemed and made God’s children. This same Christ who died, rose again, and ascended into heaven, will one day return as a triumphant king to judge his enemies and to complete the deliverance of his people from the effects of sin.
This is the true glory of the Christmas season—a celebration of God’s wonderful plan of redemption! We celebrate the parts of that plan that have already taken place and look forward to its culmination.
To help us to focus on these things we begin each worship service during Advent with the traditional lighting of Advent candles. Three candles are purple, the traditional color of penitence and royalty. A fourth candle is pink, emphasizing the joy experienced by those who receive the good news. The center candle, or Christ candle, is white, symbolizing Christ’s purity and holiness. We light each of these candles in turn to prepare for the coming of Christ, the Light of the World.
It is my sincere hope and prayer that your hearts and minds will be focused on our wonderful Savior this year as Christmas approaches. We want to be among those who are found ready when Christ returns. And amid so many competing messages, we want to shine Christ’s light into the world around us that so desperately needs it. May you draw near to God as we draw near to the day when we celebrate his coming to earth. And may we all eagerly long for his glorious return. |