Advent

What is Advent?  Advent is the beginning of the Church Year for most churches in the Western tradition. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, which is the Sunday nearest November 30, and ends on Christmas Eve.  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.  For centuries the Church has celebrated Advent with many traditions and rituals.  This year we will employ one of the oldest ideas: an Advent Wreath.  The Advent wreath has long been a popular symbol of the beginning of the Church year in many churches and homes. It is a circular evergreen wreath with five candles, four around the wreath and one in the center. Since the wreath is symbolic and a vehicle to tell the Christmas story, there are various ways to understand the symbolism. The exact meaning given to the various aspects of the wreath is not as important as the story to which it invites us to listen, and participate.  Each candle represents a theological truth brought forth by the Christmas story.  Last week we lit the first candle and explored the truth of HOPE that is ours through the coming Christ child.  Come this week to learn the meaning of our next candle.