Advent is one of my favorite times of the year.
The weeks leading up to Christmas give us a perfect opportunity to focus on the importance of Christ’s coming to Earth at Christmas. It’s a time on the church calendar that, much like Lent, is meant to be a season of fasting and reflection.
We do a lot of different Advent activities at our house, but one of my favorites is lighting the candles in our Advent wreath and singing some of the songs that are particularly for the Advent season. If you’re not familiar with the Advent wreath (or maybe if you need a little refresher), each candle represents a particular aspect of the season.
The first week of Advent has a purple candle (which represents prayer and sacrifice in the liturgical church) and its theme is Hope. The Prophet’s Candle — sometimes just called the Hope Candle — reminds us that Jesus was promised to us early in the Bible, long before He came. Some Bible verses we read during this week are Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 11, Isaiah 61, and Mark 1:1-3. As Christians today, we don’t have to wait in the hope of Jesus’ first coming like the people of Israel did, but we do wait eagerly for His return.
The second week has another purple candle and its theme is Faith. This candle is sometimes also called the Bethlehem Candle, and if you think about the faith Mary and Joseph both had to have, you can probably see why they go together. That said, there are so many stories of faith that are part of the Christmas story, you don’t have to stop with Mary and Joseph. Begin earlier and read about Elizabeth and Zechariah and continue on with John the Baptist. Or, spend some time in the book of Hebrews reading about the faith of the forefathers.
In week three, we have a pink candle to represent the theme of Joy. This is also sometimes called the Shepherd’s Candle. Psalm 80:1-3 and Isaiah 40:11 are great verses to read and meditate on during this week. Or you can spend time in the entire book of Philippians, which is sometimes referred to as the book of joy.
Finally, in week four we light our last purple candle, the theme this week is love (sometimes also called the Angel’s Candle.) The birth, life, and death of Christ is the truest demonstration of love that we will ever see. Good verses to read are many, but some I particular love are Ezekiel 34:15-16, Lamentations 3:31-33, and John 3:16-21.
Some Advent calendars include the Christ candle, which is lit on Christmas day and reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world, come to save us from the darkness.
My two favorite Advent hymns are Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus and O Come, O Come Emmanuel. There are many others, but I always seem to come back to those two.
Beyond our advent candles, we have a 24-day countdown Advent calendar that has little books. Each day’s reading tells a portion of the story of Christ’s birth, beginning with the prophecies in Isaiah and continuing through the conception and birth of John the Baptist until we finally reach Jesus’ birth.
And, of course, we have chocolate count-down calendars — because what is sweeter in the life of a believer than the fact that our Savior came to Earth as a baby, fully human and yet fully divine, lived a perfect life, and died on the cross so that He could be resurrected and conquer sin and death for any who would believe?
Do you have any favorite Advent traditions?
Elizabeth Maddrey is a semi-reformed computer geek and homeschooling mother of two who lives in the suburbs of Washington D.C. When she isn’t writing, Elizabeth is a voracious consumer of books. She loves to write about Christians who struggle through their lives, dealing with sin and receiving God’s grace on their way to their own romantic happily ever after.
HI Elizabeth, I love the Advent candles. I think Christmas is more meaningful for me when I reflect through rituals like the lighting of candles. O Come O Come Emmanuel has to be one of the best- I have to confess to pulling out Handel’s “Messiah” during this time, my husband and kids aren’t quite so keen on that one, they prefer forKing&Country’s Christmas album!!
Blessings:)
Hi Elizabeth! Being German, Advent wreaths and calendars are part of national tradition. I have three different advent wreaths with red candles. In German homes and Protestant churches (northern Germany) the candles are red, while Catholic churches have purple/ pink candles. My evergreen advent wreath is always my first Christmas decoration and is the centerpiece of my dining room table. We light a white Christ candle on Christmas Eve. When I saw your title I immediately started humming the advent songs Come,Thou Long Expected Jesus and O Come, O Come Emmanuel. Advent hymns are special and also my favorites. My felt Advent calendar, which tells the Christmas story is hanging in the hallway. In the spirit of Advent with ANTICIPATION my 4 year old granddaughter has been asking all week when she can start putting the pieces up. She has been moving items in and out of the pockets. For a little one it is hard to wait until today December 1. May we as adults ANTICIPATE Christs coming, as a child anticipated Christmas. Her middle name is JOY, candle three in the advent wreath. I have several children’s books with a story a day Advent Stories. This year I purchased Advent Storybook: 24 Stories to Share Before Christmas by Antonie Schneider and illustrated by Maja Dusikova (translated from German by Marisa Miller). Short stories and wonderful pictures. Thanks for reminding us of the reason for the season.
It’s been a while since I’ve given any thought to advent candles. The church that I grew up in had an advent wreath and lit the candles, but as an adult, the churches I’ve attended haven’t followed that tradition. I think I will incorporate the scriptures you wrote about into my quiet times this month. :)
I love Handel’s Messiah! In fact, one of the devotionals we’ll be using this year is themed on the Messiah.
Love this, Renate! And I had no idea there were different colors for Protestants (or maybe non-liturgical?) Still, very cool.
Oh yay! I hope they help you focus on the season.
I had an advent calendar I made my children. My daughter now has it for my grandkids.
Oh how fun! I had a few left over from when I was little, but boys are harder on things than girls (surprise! ;) ) And I got them out too young.
I think you just described many of the traditions we had at my parents house growing up (and that I try–every year a bit more–to bring into my own household). The advent wreath is a favorite, because we used to lit the candles and read advent related stories at night, in a quiet moment to remember the season. We have Christmas music playing in the house all the time (O Come, O Come Emmanuel is a favorite too). And we also have a 24-day calendar (we had a version with chocolate one year, but just never got to refil it) usually with notes from my parents that they write every year. Then we also take time to put together the nativity set (while also thinking about our year or planning changes for the year to come) and the Christmas tree and lights (not necessarily together), and bake Christmas cookies (grandma’s german recipes) in a family long weekend, and give them as a gift to friends and family during the season. This year I’m not sure how everything will take place as we’re also finishing remodeling our new place and need to plan the move. (It makes me happy to go, but sad that it will take time from enjoying the season fully.)
What a fun and full set of traditions. I’m glad you’re incorporating them from childhood — I love passing things on to my kids that I know we’re things my mom or Nana did when they were little, too.
I loved this post! We haven’t had the Advent wreath out for a couple of years, but usually do it in church. We have a homemade wooden calendar with little doors that we open each day of December. Of course with our children mostly gone & the last in college, there isn’t something behind the doors, but my husband and I read it each day. Each day starts with the first door, ending with the door for that day. It combines Matthew & Luke, telling the whole Christmas story. I used to sing in The Messiah each year, and I really miss that, even though we often attend a performance near us. We also like to turn on only the tree lights and sing carols at night, which is one of my favorite traditions – even if there’s only 2 of us now until the last couple of days before Christmas when everyone comes home.
I love that you and your hubby sing together in the evening! I’m the only one in my immediate family who enjoys singing, so I don’t push it much, but I love when they will join me.
When I was a child, we always went to a nearby church for a performance of the Christmas portion of Handel’s “Messiah,” so I really love listening now to my CDs of “Messiah.” Living in the very liberal state of California, it’s hard to find a live performance :-(
When we lived in Hong Kong, I had a small fellowship for awhile for some kids in 4th-6th grades, so one year I thought we’d make Advent wreaths. It turned out none of the kids’ parents would let them anywhere near matches!!!
It’s hard to find live performances of the Messiah here in the DC area, as well. I wonder more if it’s just that it’s such a challenging chorale that it’s hard to find people able to do it?
I’ve never celebrated Advent, but it was fun to learn about the candles you light & the meaning behind them Elizabeth. Thanks for sharing! I love this season of remembering Christ’s birth and the reason He came down to earth…to save me from my sins so that I can have eternal life with Him :-)