In our home, we use the Christmas season as an opportunity to keep ourselves intentionally fettered to the Messiah, despite the mayhem. America has done a marvelous job marketing the holiday gift-giving and food while being tragically surrounded by death, pain, and sin. This world is desperate for Christ but doesn’t even know it.
As believers, we should be burdened for the lost (Romans 9:1—5) and be a light to a dark world.
There’s nothing more this world needs than to know Christ and to have Him rooted deeply within the soul. May we boldly proclaim our Lord Jesus Christ though out the year, but may we also not fail to use this sacred season to be still and reclaim the quiet.
In Latin, Adventus means “coming,” and this is where we derive our English word Advent. While “Advent” isn’t found directly in Scripture, we are reminded by Paul in Philippians 3:20 (NIV) to “eagerly await a Savior [from heaven].” In context, Paul was speaking of Jesus’ second coming, not His birth, but this is why Advent has a dual meaning for believers today. We not only have the blessing of celebrating His birth, but we look forward to His coming to take us to heaven with Him. Maranatha (Come, Lord Jesus)!
Each Sunday, I’ll send out the 7 characteristics of Christ we’ll be studying through the week. You can choose to read these verses each day without an Advent wreath (see some details around the Advent wreath below). I’ll post on Instagram and Facebook most evenings with our family’s Advent time. You can join using these two links:
Great High Priest: Hebrews 4:14
Word: John 1:1
Deliverer: 1 Thessalonians 1:10
Truth: John 1:14
Our Hope: 1 Timothy 1:1
Alpha & Omega: Revelation 1:8
Branch: Isaiah 4:2
It’s not the material we use that matter, but the motive of our heart. However, if you do use Advent candles, I will share with you the meaning of each of the candles, and the order in which you can light them:
· Week One (starts December 1): Light a purple Advent candle. Purple signifies expectation and hope. It calls attention to the fact that God is our Hope, Redeemer, and Savior.
· Week 2 (starts December 8): Light the original purple candle, plus one more purple candle. The second candle signifies preparation and peace. We are to prepare our hearts to accept the grace and peace of God through Jesus Christ.
· Week 3 (starts December 15): Light the two purple candles from previous weeks, plus the pink candle. Pink signifies proclamation and joy. Proclaim His Truth and as it says in Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lords always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
· December 22-24: Light the two purple candles, the pink candle, and the last purple candle. The final purple candle signifies revelation and peace. We celebrate the announcement of our King, Jesus Christ, and the greatness of His love. He sacrificed all for our eternal peace with Him.
· December 25: On Christmas morning, light all the candles. If you have a white candle (which doesn’t typically come in the pack of Advent candles), you can light one. White represents the spotless nature of Christ and reminds us of how He washed our sin away.
No matter how you choose to celebrate Christ this season, let the Messiah–not the mayhem–reign in your heart. May you be richly blessed in Him!