The word “Advent”means “coming” or “arrival.”  The focus of the entire season is preparation to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ inn his first Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent. Thus Advent is far more than simply marking a 2,000 year old event in history.  It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to God. That is a process in which we now participate, and the consummation of which we anticipate. Scripture reading for Advent will reflect this emphasis on the Second Advent, including themes of accountability for faithfulness at His coming, judgement on sin, and the hope of eternal life.

The Advent Wreath

The circle of the wreath reminds  of God Himself, His eternity and endless mercy, which has no beginning or end.  The green of the wreath speaks of the hope that we have in God, the hope of newness, of renewal, of eternal life. Candles symbolize the light of God coming into the world through the birth of His son.  The four outer candles represent the period of waiting during the four Sundays of Advent, which themselves symbolize the four centuries of waiting between the prophet Malachi and the birth of Christ.