Have you ever wondered why we decorate for Christmas with lights and candles? These lights are to remind us of Jesus who came to be the light of the world and to dispel the darkness. This theme of light is what gave birth to the Advent wreath in Germany hundreds of years ago.
The Advent Wreath SymbolismThe first purple candle symbolizes expectation and hope. Purple is a royal color and signifies anticipation of the King's birth. Light this candle each week of Advent. The second purple candle symbolizes preparation. The Jewish people prepared their hearts for the Savior, and we prepare our hearts for His second coming. Light this one during the second, third and fourth weeks. The third purple candle symbolizes love and peace. God showed His love by sending His Son. Jesus' birth, death, and resurrection bring us peace. Light this candle during the fourth week. The rose candle symbolizes joy. We rejoice in the Messiah and joyfully anticipate Jesus' second coming. Light this candle during the third and fourth weeks. The white candle in the center is celebratory. This candle is lit on Christmas Day. Jesus is central to the season. We celebrate His birth. The evergreen branches symbolize God's faithfulness. They remain green all year. The wreath circle symbolizes God's, eternal love.
The lighting of the advent wreath is symbolic and helps us to focus more on Jesus and the theme of that week. The candles are usually lit before a church service and kept lit until it is dismissed. At home, the candles are lit and kept burning for an hour. This is a great time to either read the scriptures to your children or have them read them aloud.
Scripture Reading
This week’s focus is on the hope and expectation of the coming Christ. Here are five scripture verses for you to read and think about for the first week of Advent.
Isaiah 9:6-7
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us, And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of HIS government or of peace, On the throne of David and over His kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forever.
Jeremiah 33:14-15
‘Behold, days are coming,' declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the right word which I have spoken concerning the house of Israel and the house of Judah, in those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch of David to spring forth, and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth.
Matthew 24:30-31
And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they shall see the SON OF MAN COMING IN THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. And he will send forth his angels with a GREAT TRUMPET, and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect and from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.
Luke 1
Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you; blessed are you among women! But when she saw him, she was troubled. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and he will be called the son of the Most-High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father, David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end. Mary said to the angel, "How can this be since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most-High will overshadow you; and for that reason, the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
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