The Season of Advent

My beautiful daughter just sent me some scriptures to use during the Season of Advent. I think it is so important to keep the focus of what the true meaning of Christmas is during this season. So often we become so busy that we neglect to take the time to celebrate the spiritual side of Christmas. If you would also like to incorporate this into your celebrations this year here is some information that you might find helpful.

The First Sunday of this year's advent is November 30, 2008



The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent. Thus, Advent is far more than simply marking a 2,000 year old event in history. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God sending to earth his son Jesus Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to God. Scripture reading for Advent will reflect this emphasis on the Second Advent, including themes of accountability for faithfulness at His coming, judgment on sin, and the hope of eternal life.
In this double focus on past and future, Advent also symbolizes the spiritual journey of individuals and a congregation, as they affirm that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today, and that He will come again in power.

Advent is a natural time to involve children in activities at home that directly connect with worship at church. In the home an Advent wreath is often placed on the dining table and the candles lighted at meals, with Scripture readings preceding the lighting of the candles, especially on Sunday. A new candle is lit each Sunday during the four weeks, and then the same candles are lit each meal during the week. In this context, it provides the opportunity for family devotion and prayer together, and helps teach the Faith to children, especially if they are involved in reading the daily Scriptures.

The Advent Wreath:

The Advent wreath is a circular evergreen wreath (real or artificial) with five candles, four around the wreath and one in the center.
The circle of the wreath reminds us of God Himself, His eternity and endless mercy, which has no beginning or end. The green of the wreath speaks of the hope that we have in God, the hope of newness, of renewal, of eternal life. Candles symbolize the light of God coming into the world through the birth of His son. The four outer candles represent the period of waiting during the four Sundays of Advent, which themselves symbolize the four centuries of waiting between the prophet Malachi and the birth of Christ.

For Advent Scriptures to read daily you can go to this site:
http://www.crivoice.org/advent1.html

I think we will choose to read from the Gospels- the last roll over on the list.
May each of you have a blessed and joyous Christmas and may we each reflect on the wonderous gift of Jesus Christ.