Advent-An Important Christmas Tradition!

For the past few Christmas Seasons, our family has participated in Advent with our church. This year we are celebrating it as a family here at home as well. I’m surprised that in the tradition that Mario and I grew up in, and in a few of the major Christian denominations, that Advent was never part of the Christmas celebration. So many of you, whether a Christian or not, may be asking what Advent actually is. Here is a small description from the website that we are using for Advent here at home.

http://www.pghpresbytery.org/news/pdfs/advent_devotional.pdf

What is Advent?

The season of Advent is a time when individuals prepare their hearts to receive Christ. Advent refers to the “coming” or “arrival” of Jesus Christ. The first Sunday of Advent occurs near or upon November 30 each year. It always includes four Sundays and varies in length from twenty-two to twenty-eight days. Advent ends with Christmas Eve.

Advent can be celebrated at church and at home. This celebration can include singing a carol, reading scripture, praying, and a brief devotional reading.

Advent, for us, has become a season to really focus on why, Immanuel, God with us, came to earth. In addition, we can reflect on the miracle that it was (and still is) and what that means for us who have placed our hope in Him. What Christmas is truly about and the hope for the future?

Each Sunday there is a candle to be lit (each with an important meaning) and a devotional to be read (whether a scripture or encouraging word). Some Sunday’s even come with activities for the day or even the week. The color of the candles which are usually 3 purple and 1 pink (sometimes blue is used instead) represents Christ’s royalty. There is one last (white) candle lit on Christmas Eve representing the One True Light. The Advent wreath that holds each of the candles is decorated with greenery. God’s everlasting love is symbolized in the circle of the wreath and the evergreen symbolized Christ’s gift of eternal life.

Advent is an amazing way to slow down, spend time as a family and prepare our hearts for not only what God has provided on the first Christmas but in anticipation for what He will do in the future.

So during this season, I’m going to blog each week on Advent, the meanings of the candles that we light each week the lessons we’ve learned. I hope we will all be reminded, even in the business of this season, what is it truly all about.