Tuesday, 01 December 2009
What is Advent all about?
Today is the day that lots of people consider the start of Advent - after all, December 1st is when we all get to open that first window on our Advent calendars! However, for the Christian Church Advent has already started - the first Sunday of Advent was 29th November this year.
But what exactly is Advent? And what meaning does this special time of year have for those who follow Jesus Christ? After all, for some the Christmas celebrations seem to have swallowed up this time of year, so they may well wonder what significance, if any, Advent actually has. That's what I'd like to explain a little today.
The word "Advent" originates from the Latin "adventus" which means "coming". It is a time of expectation and preparation, consisting of the four weeks leading up to Christmas. But what are we expecting and preparing for?
Well, obviously, Advent is the season directly before Christmas, so we are preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. We also remember how the Jewish people waited with hopeful hearts for their Messiah, and recall the prophecies the prophets made concerning His arrival on Earth. In my last Advent post, I quoted Isaiah, but many other prophets also foretold His coming, and now is a time to prayerfully consider what was said and just what Christ did for us in coming to Earth in human form.
And there is something else that all Christians ought to be expecting and preparing for, in much the same way as the Jews did all those centuries ago. Christ was born, was crucified, He rose again and ascended into Heaven. Now, we await His Second Coming, when He will introduce a New Heaven and Earth, and take His rightful place as King of All. And so, Advent is a reminder for us to look about us and see how we ought to be preparing for His return.
How, then, are we supposed to be preparing during this time? And how did Advent start? To answer the latter question, I've been doing a bit of researching online. It appears that Advent began around the 4th or 5th Century AD. Originally, it was a penitential period that lasted six weeks, and involved fasting in preparation for the great feasting and celebration that would take place on Christmas Day. In fact, it was rather similar to Lent. However, Pope Gregory I changed the length of Advent from six weeks to four, and, gradually, the fasting was phased out and a more joyful aspect began to prevail.
So, how do Christians celebrate Advent today? Church services during Advent often start with the lighting of an Advent Candle, and perhaps include a short meditation on an appropriate topic. These topics are either a person from the Bible or a theme, and are usually in the following order (at least, in my experience): the first Sunday - the Prophets or Hope; the second Sunday - John the Baptist or Peace; the third Sunday - Mary, Mother of Jesus, or Love; the fourth Sunday - God's People or Joy. I am aware that the order of these does vary for some churches, but this is how I've experienced it in the churches I've been a part of.
Also, Carol services are held by some churches, while others go Carol singing. I find that singing carols is a wonderful way to prepare for Christmas, as several have wonderfully vivid imagery and such beautiful melodies. Singing carols is also a lovely way to share the Good News of Christ's birth with others.
But that's not all Christians ought to be doing at this time of year! For instance, to prepare for the Second Coming, the church I am part of are seeking ways to spread God's message of love and peace to non-Christians in our area. Previous years we have performed walk-through Nativity shows, and created a Nativity scene in the middle of the High Street while handing out leaflets detailing Christmas services to adults and Christmas booklets to children. This year, it sounds like we'll be singing and handing out mince pies, too!
How are you preparing this Advent? Are you simply looking to the past and celebrating what Christ has already done for you, or are you looking to the future and planning to share Christ's love with those around you? Or, are you oblivious to the real reasons behind this festive season, too caught up in seasonal panic to accept the hope being offered and be joyful? I pray that, whoever you are, this Advent your eyes will be open to the blessings around you, and your hearts will be ready to receive and share Christ's Love.
God bless!
