by Melissa Meyers
“Advent is a journey towards Bethlehem.” – Paula Gooder
December 1st is the first Sunday in Advent. One way to mark the different weeks leading up to the celebration of the birth of Christ is by lighting a new candle on an Advent wreath, saying a short prayer, and reading a scripture. It is an easy tradition to incorporate into the Christmas month. This tradition is an easy way to get Christ in Christmas and to focus on the celebration of the birth of Christ and the hope of the second coming.
Traditionally, an advent wreath has three purple and one pink candle, and each one symbolizes an attribute of the Christian faith: hope, joy, peace, and love. Sometimes a white candle is placed in the center of the wreath and lit on Christmas day. The evergreen branches represent the everlasting life we find in Christ, and the circle means the eternal nature of God. The lighting of the candles illustrates the light of Christ coming into the world.
This month one Renovare group is doing an evening study called The Wonder of Advent: delighting in the hope, joy, peace, and love of Christmas. The first week we crafted advent wreaths together to kick off our study.
How to create an Advent wreath:
Then put your favorite Christmas worship music on and enjoy assembling the wreath.
Melissa Meyers is co-editor of The Stir, wife to John, and mother to Malcolm (19) and Emily (16). She is a Neonatal Nurse and Creative Writer. She is the author of, Beneath the Ancient Dust: Inspirational Stories from Nine Years in Afghanistan. Her hobbies are coffee, reading, and taking long walks. She will accept an invitation for coffee anytime and loves to hear how God is working in your life.