Advent is a season to prepare for Christ’s first and second coming. Derived from the Latin adventus, Advent literally means “a coming.” It starts a new Christian year and occurs the four weeks leading up to Christmas, helping God’s people prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth, to reflect on his coming into our lives, and anticipate Christ’s second/final coming. Traditionally, churches have used purple, violet, or blue as colors to mark this season of penitential waiting, which lie in contrast to the bright colors, lights, and merry-making of society. While society totes Advent calendars filled with chocolate and toys, Advent candles, wreaths, Jesse trees, and Chrismons remind us to look towards the coming of Christ.
But why the penitence and waiting marked by purple? Why not jump ahead? By rehearsing the waiting, we mimic the longed-for journey of waiting for Christ’s first coming—the waiting of a people who listened to the Old Testament prophecy and wondered when their Savior would come. We also mimic the waiting of an expectant mother—enduring the longing, the pain, and the uncomfortable but hope-filled journey to birth. Advent also reminds us to look ahead with eager anticipation of Christ’s second coming as we long for that day when the “wolf will finally lie down with the lamb” (Isaiah 11:6).
Advent is one of two seasons of penitence, the other being Lent. In both seasons, we are reminded that we are in desperate need of a Savior. In Advent, we remember that the baby coming will die for us. And as we wait in the tension of birth and death, we are called to repentance by John the Baptist who prepares the way for Christ’s coming.
We wait. We remember. We hope. And we bear witness to the stories of scripture and the stories in our community that remind us that Christ has come and Christ will come again. We wait in eager longing.
Are you looking for resources for Advent and Christmas? You are sure to find something at ReformedWorship.org with hundreds of resources from series that provide services for each week, to lessons and carols, Longest Night or Blue Christmas services, children’s pageants, to advent candle lighting—we have it covered. All of these resources are a gift to you and available for free.
|
Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go! Do you remember singing this bouncing little piece as a child? I sure do!
It was my song. And it didn't seem to matter that the trip from Battle Creek, Michigan, where I grew up, to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where Grandma and Grandpa Brown lived, didn't include a single river crossing and hardly any woods. |
The practice of preaching according to a lectionary is an old one, although Reformed and Presbyterian churches have not always used this method. The lectionary encourages both pastor and congregation to focus on the great salvation events recorded in Scripture. (See the article on page 14 for further background.)
More Advent Resources
Connect
Reformed Worship Resources in Your Inbox
Sign up for the newsletter to receive the latest Reformed Worship resources and other news.
