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Holidays

The Significance of Advent

The word "advent" comes from the Latin word adventus, which means "a coming." Christians celebrate the First Advent (the coming of Christ as a baby) and anticipate the Second Advent (when Jesus Christ once again returns) on the four Sundays leading up to Christmas.

Often parents look for meaningful ways to keep Christ in their Christmas celebration. An Advent wreath offers a visible way to train children. From Sunday to Sunday during the Advent celebration, families can incorporate Scriptures pertaining to the Advent into their devotional time.

In the Advent wreath, four candles of the same color are positioned around the edges and a fifth candle, usually white, is placed in the center. One candle is lit each Sunday leading up to Christmas. The white center candle is lit on Christmas Eve.

The Advent Wreath

Week One:

Old Testament Prophesy

The Sunday that falls closest to November 30 is the first Sunday of Advent. The candle lit on this day represents the Old Testament prophesy of the coming of Jesus Christ. Read Isaiah 7:14 and then light the first candle.

Bible Readings

Sunday: Genesis 3:1-15, Galatians 4:1-7
Monday: Genesis 12:1-3, Acts 3:17-26
Tuesday: Genesis 17:15-21, Matthew 1:1, 2
Wednesday: Genesis 28:10-17, Luke 3:23, 33
Thursday: Genesis 49:8-10, Luke 3:23, 33
Friday: Isaiah 9:2-7, Matthew 21:1-9
Saturday: Isaiah 7:10-17, Matthew 1:18-23

Week Two:

The Birth of Christ

The birth of Jesus Christ is the subject of the second Sunday of Advent. The Christmas story, familiar to so many, is recorded in Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 1:26-56. Read the Scriptures, and then light the second Advent candle. During the week, ponder how the birth of Jesus changed the course of history, how He fulfills Old Testament prophecies, and how He has changed every believer's life.

Bible Readings

Sunday: Malachi 3:1, Mark 1:1-11
Monday: Malachi 4:5,6, Matthew 11:7-15
Tuesday: Isaiah 40:3-8, Matthew 3:1-12
Wednesday: Isaiah 40:1, 2, John 1:29
Thursday: Isaiah 40:9, John 1:32-34
Friday: Isaiah 49:1, Luke 1:30, 31
Saturday: Haggai 2:6, 7, Luke 2:1-7

Week Three:

Angels and Shepherds Worship

On the third Sunday of Advent, another candle is lit to represent the good news of the birth of Christ, as recorded in Luke 2:8-20. This passage describes the appearance of the angels to the shepherds and how the shepherds went to Bethlehem to worship Him. During the week, talk with your children concerning different ways we may worship God.

Bible Readings

Sunday: Isaiah 61:1-3, Luke 4:16-21
Monday: Micah 5:2-4, Matthew 2:1-6
Tuesday: Isaiah 49:3-6, Luke 2:25-32
Wednesday: Isaiah 60:1-6, Matthew 2:1-11
Thursday: Numbers 24:17, Matthew 2:1-9
Friday: Jeremiah 31:15-17, Matthew 2:16-18
Saturday: Hosea 11:1-4, Matthew 2:13-23

Week Four:

Journey and Gifts of the Magi

The fourth Sunday of Advent celebrates the visit of the Magi. Matthew 2:1-12 describes their journey, the gifts they brought for the King, and how God warned them to return to their own land by a different route so Herod would not be informed of Jesus' whereabouts. After reading the Scripture, light the fourth candle.

Bible Readings

Sunday: Genesis 22:15-17, Luke 2:8-14
Monday: Isaiah 9:7, Luke 1:30-33
Tuesday: Isaiah 9:6, Luke 1:34, 35
Wednesday: Isaiah 53:1-5, Matthew 27:32-44
Thursday: Isaiah 40:11, John 10:1-42
Friday: Isaiah 40:5, Luke 2:1-20
Saturday: Isaiah 9:1-5, John 1:1-14

Christmas Eve:

God is with us

Finally, Christmas Eve arrives and the fifth candle in the center of the Advent wreath is lit. The birth of Jesus is celebrated by reading Luke 2:26-38 or John 1:1-5. Both relate the joyous news of "God with us."

Often, Christmas carols are included in the celebration of Advent. The songs chosen for each Sunday should reflect the theme for that particular day.

As Christmas is celebrated each year, time brings us closer to the Second Advent of Jesus. As Christians we are called to prepare for His return. This should make us more zealous in sharing the good news of the birth of a Savior not only with our children but with those who do not know the true meaning of Christmas.

Symbolism of the Advent Wreath

The shape—as with a circle, His love is without beginning or ending.

The greens in the wreath—suggest the reality of everlasting life.

The candles—remind us that Christ is the light of the world.

The white candle—speaks of the sinless nature of Christ.

JOY STEAD