The Advent Season
An
introduction to traditions related to the four weeks before Christmas
December 2008 Michael Krigline www.krigline.com
The Advent season is about promise,
expectation, and fulfillment. One website said that
Protestant Advent traditions originated in Germany, as did the use of a
Christmas tree—pointing to heaven and decorated with candles to symbolize
the Light of the World. Around the globe, Christians celebrate Advent in
different ways, but almost universally it involves an evergreen wreath,
candles, and scripture readings on the four Sundays before Christmas.
The wreath is an ancient symbol for victory
and eternity, and it was adopted by early Christians to symbolize the
“fullness of time” when God’s promised Messiah was born. Never-ending, the
round Advent wreath also speaks of God’s never-ending love. Ever-green
branches are used to symbolize His ever-lasting nature and
boundless mercy in constantly making all things new.
Advent wreaths have at least four candles,
with one being lit on each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas;
some add a fifth candle to the ring (or placed in the center), to be lit
on Christmas day, representing the Christ Child and the fulfillment
of God’s promises. In some traditions, the first three Advent candles are
purple, representing sorrow over the things that separates Man from
"Heaven," repentance that restores that relationship, and longing
expectation for the Christ of Christmas.
The fourth candle is often pink, representing joy and hope,
for Christmas is just around the corner. In other traditions, the candles
are white to remind us of purity and the forgiveness
we all need to enter the circle of God’s born-again family. Some people
replace colored candles with white ones on Christmas, and keep lighting
them until Epiphany (in honor of the wise men, on the 12th day
after Christmas).
Lighting the candles is traditionally
accompanied by Scripture readings. To some, the four successive weeks
represent the voices of “preparation”: Jeremiah “The days are coming…”, John the Baptist “Prepare the way...”, Mary “Be
it unto me according to Your Word”, and the angels “Fear not, for behold I
bring you Good News.” In other traditions, Old Testament prophecies about
Jesus are read each week, prophecies that prepared people for the
Lord’s first Advent (the word literally means “to come”). Others mix in
yet-unfulfilled prophecies to remind us that the Bible promises Christ’s
return to earth "someday soon." Several websites that offer a list of
readings are listed at the end of this article.
My family invites students and friends over
every Sunday night in Advent to play games, create Christmas cards, or
watch a movie. Each night, we pause during the fun to light a candle and
read a related passage that illustrates its significance. We follow the
tradition wherein the successive candles represent prophecy, the angels,
the shepherds and the wise men.
Advent is a wonderful addition to any
family’s Christmas celebration. The wreath and candles make a beautiful
decoration, and a weekly candle-lighting ceremony (complete with scripture
passages) will help you keep your focus on the true meaning of Christmas.
For daily/weekly Advent
readings, or other information about the season, you might look at these
websites:
http://www.kencollins.com/Texts/Daily-12.htm
http://www.domestic-church.com/CONTENT.DCC/19971201/ARTICLES/ADVTRAD1.HTM
http://www.domestic-church.com/CONTENT.DCC/19971201/FRIDGE/MKADVWR.HTM
http://www.upperroom.org/pockets/litany.asp?ArticleID=136064
www.gospelcom.net
For a detailed look at the
historical roots of Christmas, click here.
(To see more information about Christmas, see these other pages: the
traditional Christmas story,
who is Santa (圣诞老人)?,
the pre-Christmas Advent season; other
Christmas movie study guides on this website: A
Snoopy/Charlie Brown Christmas, Last Holiday,
White Christmas,
A Christmas Carol, It's
a Wonderful Life)
This resource was created for our students & friends under my
understanding of "fair use" for educational resources.
As far as I am concerned, people are allowed to
print/copy it for personal or classroom use.
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