This week we begin celebrating the season of Advent by lighting the first Advent candle. The word Advent means, “coming” or “arrival.” It is, in a sense, a countdown of anticipation in which we celebrate Christ’s first Advent, or coming, in which Jesus was born into this world as a small child in a manger just over 2000 years ago.
The wreath and its candles are the visual focus of Advent. One of the candles is lit each week as Christmas approaches. The circle of the Advent wreath has no beginning and no end. It portrays for us God’s timelessness and His eternal plan of salvation. The evergreen color denotes eternal life that we are granted when we come to know Christ as our Lord and Savior. The shape of the wreath is round, reminding us of the fellowship of believers around the world who share with us the celebration of His coming. The four outer candles represent the gifts of His spirit in us, which are: Hope, Peace, Love and Joy.
The first Advent reading:
As the follower of Christ, we await His return. We light this candle, the candle of hope, to remember that as He came to us humbly in the manger at Bethlehem and gave light to the world, so He is coming again in power to deliver His people. We light this candle to remind us to be alert and to watch for His return.
Prayer:
Loving God, we thank you for the promise of the Messiah who came to be the light of the world. Help us prepare our hearts to receive Him. Bless our worship. Help us to hear and do your Word. We ask it in the name of the one born in Bethlehem. Amen.
