We acknowledge the prophesies and celebrate the coming of Christ with traditions, with worship, with reverent waiting. There are many symbols of waiting, of preparation. There are many customs to hail the Advent, which is Latin for "the Coming." Foremost among the symbols is the Advent Wreath, the Wreath of Coming. The circle of the Wreath like God himself has no beginning and no end. A circle of evergreen, a circle of meaning, a symbol of that which is as eternal as God, as victorious as the coming Christ, and as everlasting as his promises. The Advent Wreath is a symbol of hope, a symbol of four Sabbaths of waiting. Four candles light the wreath. Three are purple. Purple is the color of kings; it is also the color of repentant preparation. On the fourth Sunday of Advent, the rose candle is set aglow remembering the unfettered joy of the Angel's song. The center candle is white, pure white, lit when Christ is come. The wreath is made with carefully chosen materials, each a symbol of the Christ. Holly is used to symbolize the crucified Christ. Legend says holly was used to fashion the crown of thorns for the head of the crucified Christ, and that the berries were yellow until stained red by His blood. Mistletoe symbolizes Christ the everlasting. Ancient Druids noted how, when all other trees were bare, Mistletoe remained green. It was also a love symbol for them. In Christian legend it became a symbol of eternity; Christ the Everlasting, Christ the Eternal, Christ the Beloved. So in the wreath, we symbolized the coming of Christ, the Victorious Christ, the Prince of Peace; Christ, the Eternal; Christ, the Revelation of God. He comes! Let us prepare for His coming with joy.
Be wise today and always - be full of the joy of the Lord.
