The Fourth Sunday of Advent

 The Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 19

(Light all of the candles)
With the lighting of this candle, the outer circle of light is complete. Gradually, Sunday by Sunday, we have added light until now the entire wreath is burning, except for the center Christ candle, which will be kindled on Christmas Eve. We have moved from darkness into the wonder of Christ's light. We see the realization of the Fourth Evangelists' words:

     "The light shines in the darkness,
     and the darkness did not overcome it."

With the lighting of this fourth and last Advent candle, we have before us a graphic reminder that God's purposes shall always overcome those of darkness. The triumph will take time. The victory is not always readily evident. But, in God's own time, God's will is done. In the Christ event, God proclaims the victory.

So, as our wreath stands fully lighted, our hearts are ablaze with hope, but also with triumph.

For behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

And his name shall be called "God With Us."


Prayer:
O Lord,
Who prepares our hearts for the coming of Your Son into the world,
Ground us in the assurance that the darkness shall not overcome us;
In the name of the One whom You call "Emmanuel."

The Third Sunday of Advent

 The Third Sunday of Advent
December 12

(Light the rose candle and two purple candles)

The event draws ever closer. What once was afar off now is only thirteen days away. The light has spread and begins to claim its mastery over the darkness. In John's gospel, we read: "The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world."

We are in process.

We are moving from darkness into Christ's wonderful light.

We have not yet arrived.

But we are underway.

Today, we light the rose candle. The traditional name of this Sunday is Gaudite (GAW - di - tay), which means "rejoice." It is a kind of break in this season of darkness. We rejoice in our hope, as the promise of the deliverance of the people of God draws ever nearer.


Prayer: God our Creator,
we feel you at work within us
even as we behold the light overcoming the darkness.
Make us faithful
even as you make us complete;
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Second Sunday of Advent

 December 5

(Light two of the purple candles)

This season of Advent demands from us a delicate balance between urgency and patience.  We feel anxious because we long for the celebration.  Children chafe at being told to wait for the wonders of Christmas morning.  Pilgrims anticipate the move from expectation to realization of the coming of Christ into the world.  But, we also feel the need for waiting.  We come to understand that it is important to let this season do its work on our hearts.  An observation so great as that of the coming of the Messiah without adequate preparation is cheaply won.  It takes time to make ready for a day such as the day of Christ's birth.

 

So, today we kindle a second candle on our Advent wreath.  The darkness loses a bit more of its power.  The light is slowly claiming our worship space, as it is progressively moving within our hearts.  The coming triumph of the light over the power of ignorance and sin is made more evident.  It becomes more believable.  Our hearts quicken as we draw closer to the time when we proclaim with the prophet Isaiah:

                    "for the Lord shall be your everlasting light,
                    and your days of mourning shall be ended."
                    --Isaiah 60:20b

The Advent Wreath

 One of the most visible objects in our traditional observance of Advent is the Advent Wreath.  This appointment contains several symbolic portions within the whole.  First, it is a circle.  It signifies the God who has no beginning and no ending.  Even though Advent is the initial season of the Church Year it is part of a recurring cycle that includes Christmas, the Season of Epiphany, Lent, Easter and the time after Pentecost.  As the cycle progresses over and over the church moves through the great events of the prophesy, birth, life, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus.

 The wreath is comprised of evergreens that represent eternal life.  The use of evergreens in this season is a traditional affirmation of life.  In a time when most growing things die or lose their leaves, evergreens remain vibrant.

 Advent wreathes also feature candles.  There is a central Christ Candle and then there are four candles around the periphery of the wreath.  The church lights one candle on the initial Sunday of the season, then the original candle plus an additional candle on the second Sunday and so forth through the entire observance, so that on the last Sunday of Advent all of the outer candles have been ignited.