Just What is Advent?
Many Christians, unfamiliar with the liturgical year, are confused about the meaning of the Advent Season. The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming.” Advent lasts for four Sundays leading up to Christmas. At that time, the new Christian year begins with the twelve-day celebration of Christmastide, which lasts from Christmas Eve until Epiphany on January 6. This year, Advent begins on November 28th.
While the Advent Season does focus on the anticipation of Christ’s birth leading up to Christmas, there is much more to the story. Advent symbolizes the Church’s present situation as we wait for the return of Christ in glory. The Church today is in a similar state of exile. We are waiting expectantly for our Messiah to come and set all things right. In the same spirit of anticipation, we look back to Christ’s birth and identify with Israel’s waiting for the birth of the Messiah.
In light of this, the Advent hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” holds a special meaning for us.
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appears.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Israel would have sung this song in expectation of Christ’s birth, but we sing this song to commemorate His first coming and in expectation of His return.
Our Advent Practice
Our goal is to balance the two elements: remembrance and anticipation. The first two Sundays of Advent (November 28 and December 5) look forward to Christ’s second coming and the last two Sundays (December 12 and December 19) look back to remember Christ’s first coming. With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season in full swing, it’s easy to get lost. In this Advent season, we strive to turn our attention to our Savior and glorify Him amidst the whirlwind of meals, gifts, shopping, and family time.
In our services, our sermons will focus on the themes of Advent: hope, peace, joy, and love. To illustrate this, we have an advent wreath on the platform and each week we will light one of the candles as a symbol of each advent theme. On Christmas Eve, we will light the Christ Candle. This flame will light each of our own candles symbolizing the light that we carry in the name of Christ to a dark and broken world.
Advent Reading Plans
There are many Advent reading plans available, but we have provided two specific plans for you and your family to read together in your family Bible studies. These plans can be found here.