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This Sunday, November 30 is the first Sunday of Advent. Last year I purchased this Nativity Advent Wreath. It’s really beautiful. We used it as the centerpiece for our kitchen table, and we’ll use it in the same manner again this year.
We’ll also be begin reading the book Jotham’s Journey by Arnold Ytreeide, on Advent Sunday. Jotham’s Journey is the first in a trilogy of Advent books, that includes Bartholomew’s Passage andTabitha’s Travels.
“Over and over Jotham screamed for his family, but there was no one to hear him. They had vanished. Hewas alone. Where had they gone? How long ago had they left? Through quick, stabbing sobs Jotham told himself, “I must look for my family, I must search until I find them.” And so his journey begins. In this widely popular, exciting story for the Advent season, readers follow ten-year-old Jotham across Israel as he searches for his family. Though he faces thieves, robbers, and kidnappers, Jotham also encounters the wise men, shepherds, and innkeepers until at last he finds his way to the Savior born in Bethlehem.”
I absolutely love the Season of Advent. For me, it’s a time to focus on the true meaning of Christmas, during a time when we’re all stressed about gifts, menus, and holiday parties. It’s especially important to me to take time each day to help focus Ben away from Santa and onto Christ. He loves lighting the candles and listening to the story.
Speaking of the candles, I thought I’d take a quick moment to review the meaning of each Advent candle. Last year, when we first decided to spend some time with Advent activities, I had to research this for myself. So for any of you, who like me, were not raised observing Advent, here’s a quick explanation.
The candles of the Advent Wreath include:
The Hope (or Prophecy) Candle: This candle represents the Old Testament prophecies about Christ’s birth, as well as the feeling of anticipation which God’s people experience as they awaited His coming. Advent is a time when we can join generations of God’s people in awaiting our Messiah. Advent celebrates not only the arrival of the Christ child, but also His second glorious coming!
The Peace (or Bethlehem) Candle: This candle represents the preparations made for the coming Christ child. Bethlehem is an appropriate place to signify preparation because, even though no room was available for Mary and Joseph when they came, God had orchestrated events so that Caesar Augustus called for a census to be taken. Joseph and Mary had to leave Nazareth so that they could register in Bethlehem and the Scriptures were fulfilled!
The Joy (or Shepherds’) Candle: The shepherd’s candle represents the message of great joy at the birth of baby Jesus!
The Love (or Angel) Candle: This candle represents the love God shared with the world when He sent His Son! It also represents the angels who shared the Good News with the shepherds, who then shared it with others, and the Magi who likely shared with everyone they met. We should also share the good news with everyone we meet!
The Christ Candle: This white candle represents Christ! Our Messiah, Jesus, the Light of the World is finally here!
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