Advent Celebrations

December is here and with it the snow and cold that also, for some strange reason, brings that cozy, Christmas-ey feel. 

We enjoy incorporating Advent traditions into our seasonal festivities, and since yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent, it seemed like a good time to reflect on what that means. Advent is actually a season of “waiting” much like Lent, but this time, we are awaiting the arrival of the Messiah–Jesus! 

When our children were young, we read associated scriptures and did age-appropriate “crafts” and activities to go along with each celebration. One year we used a book that had a reading for each day of December and included a “Jesse” Tree craft. (You can look that up online to see what it means.) We usually sang a related Christmas Carol and always lit the candle on our Advent Wreath.

Our first wreath was quite scruffy looking if I’m being honest. We’ve just recently upgraded to a nicer one since we also use it at our church. We’ve found that celebrating Advent has become an important part of our traditions at this time of year.

It’s not too late to incorporate Advent traditions into your holiday celebrations, too. Below, I am copying the introduction and first Sunday’s readings from my little pocketbook SIMPLY ADVENT. It is available online as a paperback and ebook.

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Intro to Advent:

Many Christians choose to celebrate Advent, a time of anticipation leading up to Christ’s birth on the four Sundays before Christmas. A wreath with five candles is most often used. One candle is lit each week culminating in the final large candle in the middle of the wreath, which is lit on Christmas Eve.

Each Sunday represents something different, although traditions vary from denomination to denomination. Use this little book as a jumping-off place to delve further into this rich tradition.

The First Sunday of Advent

The first candle of Advent is sometimes called the “Prophets’ Candle” and symbolizes “Hope”. There are thousands of prophecies relating to Jesus in the Old Testament. It is not the purpose of this book to expound on all of them, but it is exciting to know that we have assurance that Jesus is who He said He was—the Saviour of the World! These prophecies gave great hope to those looking forward to their Messiah and they also give us hope that He will return again, as He said He would.

Scripture: Matthew 1: 18–25

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. (ESV)

Isaiah 7: 14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel. (ESV)

Prayer:

Thank You for the assurance we have from Your Word. You came to this earth as a tiny baby, just the way You said You would. You are Immanuel—our Saviour and Redeemer. As I prepare to celebrate the “reason for the season” help me to keep my eyes fixed on the hope of Your second coming.

You may wish to sing a Christmas carol which focuses on the prophetic aspects of Christ’s birth such as ‘O Come O Come Emmanuel’.