Advent: Christ “coming” in three ways

Advent consists of four weeks before Christmas. The name of this first season of the liturgical year comes from a Latin word that means “coming.”

Advent focuses on this “coming” in three ways: 1) the infant Jesus coming in the past—2 millennia ago in Bethlehem, 2) Christ coming in the present in word and sacraments and in the fellowship or communion of the church, 3) and Christ coming again in the future at the end of time. In Advent we prepare for the celebration of Christ’s coming in the incarnation, but more importantly we prepare for His second coming, when he will make all things new and judge the world in righteousness.

Two different colors may be used for Advent, 1) blue, the color of hope and 2) purple, the royal color of the coming King. This year we will be using paraments and banners of purple.

Advent is a time for visual restraint and simplicity and should not be confused with Christmas. Advent wreaths have four candles, which represent the four weeks of waiting during Advent. On the first Sunday in Advent, the first candle is lighted and then each Sunday in Advent another candle is lit until all four have been lighted. The candles are to be new each year to clearly indicate the passage of time.
We wish you all a very Blessed Advent Season.

In God’s Service,

Pat Hamm and Bernie Swanson
Co-coordinators for Altar Guild

First Sunday in Advent
On Sunday, November 29 lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. to those who can stay after service and help decorate for Christmas.

The Story of Advent

Advent always consists of four weeks before Christmas. The name Advent comes from a Latin word that means “coming”. Advent focuses on this “coming” in three ways; the infant Jesus coming in the past--2000 years ago in Bethlehem, Christ coming in the present in word and sacraments and in the fellowship or communion of the church, and Christ coming again in the future at the end of time. During Advent, we prepare for the celebration of Christ’s coming in the incarnation, but more importantly we prepare for his second coming, when he will make all things new and judge the world in righteousness.

The preferred color for Advent is blue, the color of hope, which helps make apparent the major thematic difference between Advent and Lent. The blue used for Advent is royal blue, not pale or navy blue.

One of the themes of Advent is darkness, so it is thus appropriate to use fewer candles during these four weeks. Because it is also a season of waiting, it may be reflected by simplifying the worship space, allowing the “festive look” to be reserved for Christmas and Epiphany.

The Advent wreath, which originated in home use in Europe after the Reformation, is a wreath on which four candles are placed, representing the four weeks of waiting during Advent. The candles may be blue or purple, even white.

It is neither traditional nor appropriate to put a so-called Christ candle in the center of the Advent wreath for Christmas, for the altar candles themselves represent Christ. On the first Sunday in Advent, the first candle is lighted and an additional candle is lighted each Sunday in Advent until all four are lighted. The Advent wreath is used only for the four weeks of Advent, and is removed prior to all Christmas liturgies. The candles should be new each year to clearly indicate the passage of time. Advent is a time for visual restraint and simplicity.

Serving for God’s Glory,
Pat Hamm and Bernie Swanson
Altar Guild Co-coordinators