As December approaches, people are beginning to prepare for Christmas. Decorations are going up, gifts are being bought, music is being played. There’s a lot to do to get ready for this special holiday.
However, many people often fail to prepare for Christmas in the way that matters most. That’s where Advent comes in. You may have heard of Advent. But what is it? How do we celebrate it?
What is Advent?
The word advent simply means “coming.” In religious circles, Advent has to do with the coming of Christ. It involves looking back to Jesus’ first coming at His incarnation, when God the Son took on flesh and became a man. It also looks forward to His second coming, when He returns in judgment to separate His children from those of the world.
How do we celebrate Advent?
As a Church Family
In many churches, Advent is celebrated during the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. This year, that would be December 1, 8, 15, and 22. Often, there will be special Scripture readings, accompanied by the lighting of a candle. There are many different traditions, but the most common involves four candles, one to be lit each of the four Sundays. The candles are often displayed in or around an evergreen wreath. Different colors may be used, each having a different meaning, but often three are purple and one is a shade of pink. Sometimes, a white candle is placed in the middle of the wreath, to be lit on Christmas Day.
With Our Own Families
Devotional Books
Individually, people may choose to celebrate Advent at home. There are many devotional books available that have special readings to be done each day, some for the twenty-four days leading up to Christmas, and some for all thirty-one days of December. Here a few that I recommend:
Love Came Down at Christmas: Daily Readings for Advent by Sinclair Ferguson
Counting the Days, Lighting the Candles by Elyse Fitzpatrick
Consider Jesus by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
Christmas Scripture Writing Challenge
My Christmas Scripture Writing Challenge would be a great way to observe Advent this year. I’ve put together a list of 31 verses or passages, based on Handel’s Messiah, that cover Jesus’ foretold coming, birth, ministry, death, resurrection, and promises for those who believe in Him. You can read more about it and find out how to join the challenge here:
Christmas Scripture Writing Challenge
The Jesse Tree
My family has also enjoyed using the Jesse Tree. Each day leading up to Christmas, you hang a special ornament on the tree and read the devotion that accompanies it. The ornaments can be handmade or bought. A group of ladies from my church got together one year to exchange ornaments. Each person made enough of a single ornament for the entire group. For example, I made twenty-five camels and tents. We then took one ornament from each person to complete our set. You can also purchase already-made ornaments, or even just print out pictures to hang. The important part is the devotion, which can be found here:
As you prepare for Christmas decorating and shopping and cooking this year, don’t forget to take time to prepare your heart for the coming of Christ. Spend some time reflecting on the fact God became man, humbling Himself as a baby in a manger, in order to die for your sins. Think about how He rose from the dead and is now seated at God’s right hand in heaven, waiting for the right time to come again in judgement, but also to gather His children to Himself. Are you ready?
What is your favorite Advent tradition? Let me know in the comments below.
Source: https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/advent-wreath-meaning-of-advent-candles.html
