Each year, many thousands of Christians celebrate the season of Advent. The weeks leading up to Christmas are a time of expectation and preparation for a celebration of the birth of the Christ Child. Advent calendars are hung in homes to help children count down the days to that holy holiday. Some contain pockets with candy or small treasures hidden inside, while others have windows which, when opened, reveal pictures designed to build excitement for the season.
In homes and churches around the world, the symbolism of the time leading to Christmas is represented by the Advent wreath. The wreath, which traces its origin back to the time of the reformer Martin Luther, is typically a circle of evergreens with five candles. The circle symbolizes the eternity of God Who has no beginning and no end. The evergreens represent the never-ending life we have through Jesus Christ.
Nestled around the wreath, the candles proclaim a beautiful message of light. As Jesus the Christ defeated the darkness of sin and death, darkness is defeated each week when a new candle is lit. Just as the Jewish people awaited the prophesied Messiah, we mark the passing of time with a new flame burning every Sunday, a reminder to us that light increases and darkness fades as the long-anticipated Messiah approaches.
Each candle in the wreath stands for an aspect of our spiritual preparation for the birth of Immanuel, God Incarnate. On the first Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of Hope. The candle representing Love is illuminated on the second Sunday, followed by the candle of Joy and finally, the candle of Peace.
The fifth candle of the Advent wreath stands in the center of the circle. Though the colors of the other candles may differ based on a church’s tradition or preference, the Christ Candle is always white. The color of purity reminds us that Jesus, the Baby whose coming we anticipate, is the spotless Lamb of God. His candle is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day as a joyous celebration that the Light of the World has arrived.
The ritual of lighting the candles and reciting related scripture passages is a communal occurrence, a weekly observance by a body of believers. But the season of Advent does not merely consist of four weekly events. Advent is an individual spiritual journey lasting from the fourth Sunday before Christmas until Christmas day. It is a time to prepare ourselves for the day we commemorate the birth of the long-awaited Messiah, the Savior of all humankind.
The coming of the Christ Child is both communal within a body of believers, and deeply personal. On this blog we will travel that journey day by day, praying our way through the Advent season. As we focus on the symbolism of each candle of the Advent wreath, we will consider scripture related to the four spiritual aspects of our mounting excitement for the Holy One’s arrival, and we will pray that our hearts and souls are prepared to receive Him.
Advent means coming. As we count down the days to the time when we celebrate the memory of our Lord’s first Advent, we do so with the anticipation of His second Advent. On that glorious day He will return not as a baby, but as the King of kings in the full power of His glory.
Come, Lord Jesus!
Copyright (c) 2018 by Virginia Smith. All rights reserved.
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