This year, I want to make the Advent Wreath part of our tradition. So I did some research - of course! And I'm posting what I learned as well as a devotional schedule for you to add to your family traditions.
I'm thinking this could be a fun thing for littles as well - make paper candles out of paper and place so they "burn" all week and you can talk about them and their meaning!
Hope you enjoy!
The Meaning of Advent
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a
sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call
him Immanuel,” (Isaiah 7:14)
"Advent" means “Coming.”
Our Expectations, Anticipation
and Preparation for Christ
·
Watching for fulfillment of Old Testament
Prophecies
·
Watching for His Birth
·
Watching for his Resurrection
·
Watching for His Return
The Advent Wreath
“And again, Isaiah says, ‘The Root of Jesse
will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will
hope in him.’ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust
in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit,” (Rom. 15:12-13).
Traditionally, during the Christmas
season we have an "Advent Wreath" in our Churches, and this is
remarkably celebrated in all Denominations, including Orthodox, Catholic,
liturgical, Mainline and Evangelical. The Advent Wreath is a tradition
that cuts across denominational and theological boundaries. It dates to the
beginning of the 19th century in Europe. This Advent Wreath is arranged with 4
or 5 Advent candles, 3 or 4 of which are in a circle, along with one in the
center, all on a base of evergreens each has a powerful message for us about
our Lord. This has prevailing imagery we should not take for granted or
consider just another holiday decoration.
· The Wreath: The wreath itself means
"victory" as Christ's victory over sin (Praise God!!) so He can save us. The Advent
Wreath has 4 or 5 candles that are arranged in a circle symbolizing Christ's
eternity, as a circle has no beginning and has no end, it is a symbol for God,
Who is eternal and thus without beginning or end. The evergreens mean He is
"ever with us," they are usually pine branches or holly that are used
as a base that represents anticipation, newness, renewal and His
everlastingness. The red berries of the holly represent the shedding of
Christ's blood.
· The Candles: The Advent candles mean
the light of God coming into the world through the birth of His Son. This
refers to the significance that Christ is the Light of the world. When they are
lit, the illumination is to symbolize the Christ of eternity and His coming as
the "Light of the World" and our worship and honor of His most
precious gift of His Grace and mercy. These candles also have a color theme
too, purple, blue, pink or rose and while. The first two or three are purple
meaning royalty and this is also the color of suffering and the darkness of
sin, connecting Jesus' birth and crucifixion and His triumph over sin. Blue
means sky and life, pink means joy, and white means purity.
Meaning of Candles
·
1st Week – Purple - "CANDLE OF HOPE" means His promise
and hope. We can have hope because God is faithful and will keep the promises
He made to us. Our hope comes from God. (Romans 15:12-13)
·
2nd Week – Purple - "CANDLE OF PREPARATION" means His
light and preparation. Preparation means to 'get ready'. "Help us to be
ready to welcome YOU, O GOD!" (Luke 3:4-6) (Some traditions combine the
first two)
·
3rd Week – Rose - "CANDLE OF JOY" means the angels
sang a message of JOY! (Luke 2:7-15)
·
4th Week – Blue - "CANDLE OF LOVE" symbolizes Christ
love. God sent His only Son to earth to save us, because He loves us! (John
3:16-17) (some traditions omit this one)
·
5th Week – White - "CHRIST CANDLE" symbolizes the incarnation,
the heart and reason of the season, God giving light to the world. Its location
is in the center as Christ's light is central and radiant. This reminds us that
Jesus is the spotless Lamb of God, sent to wash away our sins! (in wreaths that
have 4 candles, it is in the circle among the rest of the candles)
Sunday, Dec 2. Purple Candle of Hope
Sunday, Dec. 9 Purple Candle of Preparation
Sunday, Dec. 16 Rose Candle of Joy
Sunday, Dec. 23 Blue Candle of
Love
Wednesday, December 25,
Christmas Day White Christ
Candle
· Each candle
is during a family devotional. Scripture is read that teaches the
principle. Then the previous candles are
re-lighted.
Devotional Verses for the
Season
FOUR WEEKS
BEFORE CHRISTMAS November 28- December
1, 2012
SUNDAY:
Isaiah 7:14 and Micah 5:2
MONDAY:
Matthew 1:18-24 and Luke 1:26-33
TUESDAY:
Luke 2:1-5
WEDNESDAY:
Luke 2:6-7
THURSDAY:
Luke 2:8-9
FRIDAY: Luke
2:10-12
SATURDAY:
Luke 2:13-14
THREE
WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS December 2-8,
2012
SUNDAY: Luke
2:15-16
MONDAY: Luke
2:17-18
TUESDAY:
Luke 2:19
WEDNESDAY:
Luke 2:20
THURSDAY:
Luke 2:21
FRIDAY:
Matthew 2:1-2
SATURDAY:
Matthew 2:3-6
TWO WEEKS
BEFORE CHRISTMAS December 9-15, 2012
SUNDAY:
Matthew 2:7-8
MONDAY:
Matthew 2:9
TUESDAY:
Matthew 2:10-11
WEDNESDAY:
Matthew 2:12-15
THURSDAY:
Galatians 4:4-5
FRIDAY:
Ephesians 2:8-9
SATURDAY: 1
John 4:7-16
ONE WEEK
BEFORE CHRISTMAS December 16-22, 2012
SUNDAY:
Ephesians 2:12-22
MONDAY: John
7:37-38, and 14:6
TUESDAY:
Matthew 28:19-20
WEDNESDAY:
John 8:12
THURSDAY:
John 9:4-5 and Matthew 5:14-16
FRIDAY:
Psalm 98:1-6
SATURDAY:
John 1:1-3, 14 and Romans 6:23
CHRISTMAS
DAY Tuesday,
Dec. 25
Psalm 100,
Revelation 3:20-21
John 1:29 and John 3:1-8 and Psalm 25
