What is Advent? Why an Advent Wreath?

What is Advent?

Advent is a season of prayer, marked by 24-28 days before Christmas. It is a time of prayer and anticipation of the coming of the Christ child.

Why is Advent celebrated?

Advent is celebrated to savor the Christmas holiday and reflect on the meaning of Jesus coming to earth. There are so many points in the story worthy of our consideration:

Jesus being born of a virgin, as foretold in Isaiah;

Jesus being born to peasant parents, who made the effort of traveling many miles to Bethlehem for the census.

His parents being rejected and having to deliver the baby in a manger/cave.

The shepherds receiving the angelic announcement.

The wise men from the east coming to pay homage and worship;

Joseph’s nobility and love for Mary, although he thought of divorcing her. But being interrupted by the angel in a dream.

Lots of amazing points that communicate we serve a God of love and the impossible.

What is an Advent Wreath?

The tradition is said to be German. It was brought to America by German immigrants, which the Schwenkfelders identify as.

The wreath and its lighting helps prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord. Light casts away darkness. John 8:12

John 8:12 ESV

12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

The advent wreath is made of greenery in the shape of a circle with four candles. Each of the candles are lit on each of the four Sundays of Advent.

The greenery represents life, even in the cold of winter.

The circle represents God’s love that is everlasting.

The candles signify prayer, reflection and worship.

Four candles represent the primitive idea that the earth waited 4,000 years for the coming of the Messiah.

What is the significance of the candles?

Each of the candles represent a theme of Advent: hope, love, Joy and Promise. The last candle, white, is the Christ candle, which is lit on Christmas Eve. Prayer and candles go together in higher liturgy.

Why is extending the observance of Christmas important?

I think observing Advent and thus, extending Christmas beyond just one or two days is important because we are a society of short attention spans and immediate gratification. When we participate in Advent, it gives us time to think about why Jesus came to this earth.

Tell us more about the themes presented? Hope, Love, Joy, and Promise.

Christmas reminds us that our God is a God hope. Someone once said that hope is faith applied to the future. It is anticipation that things will be okay, regardless of the latest headline. God is upon His throne. Titus 2:12-13

Titus 2:12–13 ESV

12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

Love reminds us of God’s character. Jesus said in John 3:16-17

John 3:16–17 ESV

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

And that’s the gospel in a nutshell.

1 John 4:10 ESV

10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 4:19 ESV

19 We love because he first loved us.

Joy is represented by the third candle, which is pink. It reminds us that we can experience a heightened sense of emotional warmth because of what Jesus came to do. The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 16:11:

Psalm 16:11 ESV

11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

1 Peter 1:8 Peter talked about “joy inexpressible and full of glory,” that is possible through faith in Christ.

1 Peter 1:8 ESV

8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,

And then there’s promise. Christmas reflects on the God of the universe who keeps His promises. Matthew 1:22-24

Matthew 1:22–24 ESV

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife,

Why is it important for churches to celebrate Advent and not just Christmas?

Because the church is the congregation of the people of God. When we experience something communal, it builds up our faith. It reminds us of something collective.