Advent is Upon Us
@SGiesbrecht
Are you preparing your home for Christmas? Decorations, preparations and renovations? What about your heart? Have you welcomed Jesus to be nearer to you this Christmas? Are you making time for him? Are you preparing your humans — children and family for Christmas? Advent is a valuable way to implement preparing for the coming of the newborn King with just a few traditions.
But first, let’s discuss: what is Advent? The Western term “Advent” comes from the Latin word “adventus,” meaning “coming,” which comes from the Greek word “parousia,” meaning “second coming of Christ.” Common practices during this season include Advent calendars, daily devotionals, fasting, wreaths, candles, and reading from the Old Testament. Readings such as Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” The four candles are lit each Sunday of Advent, and the fifth is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
This year Advent falls on November 26, December 3, December 10, and December 17. Advent is the beginning of the Christian liturgical year and begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas running through Christmas Eve, followed by the 12 days of Christmas (December 25 through January 5—marking the journey of the Magi to the baby Jesus) and Epiphany on January 6 (the celebration feast of the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ, the visit of the Magi, Jesus’ baptism, and the wedding at Cana).
Advent represents the coming of Christ in three ways:
- Commemorating his birth and walk as man and savior
- Celebrating his presence in us now through the Holy Spirit
- Preparing for his return as judge
The Western term “Advent” comes from the Latin word “adventus,” meaning “coming,” which comes from the Greek word “parousia,” meaning “second coming of Christ.” Common practices during this season include Advent calendars, daily devotionals, fasting, wreaths, candles, and reading from the Old Testament. The four candles are lit each Sunday of Advent, and the fifth is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Advent is a time of prayer, commemoration, celebration, and preparation.
@SGiesbrecht
