The lighting of the Advent candles are a part of many churches Christmas experience. It's meaning comes from Bible. And again, Isaiah says, “The
Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the
Gentiles will hope in him." May the God of hope fill you with all joy and
peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of
the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:12-13).
We acknowledge the Bible’s prophesies and celebrate
the coming of Christ with traditions, with worship, and 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!
May Christ's love burn in your heart this Christmas season and always.
