Advent: a wakeful waiting

The four Sundays of Advent mark the beginning of the Christian year. It is a time of preparation and waiting for the coming (Adventus) of Christ. The colour of Advent is purple, the colour of royalty to welcome the coming of Christ the King. The purple of Advent is also the colour of suffering used during Lent and Holy Week. This points to an important connection between Jesus' birth and death. The nativity, the Incarnation, cannot be separated from the crucifixion. The purpose of Jesus' coming into the world, of the "Word made flesh" and dwelling among us, is to reveal God and His grace to the world through Jesus' life and teaching, but also through his suffering, death, and resurrection. To reflect this emphasis, originally Advent was a time of penitence and fasting, much as the Season of Lent and so shared the colour of Lent.

The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent. Thus, Advent is far more than simply marking a 2,000-year-old event in history. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to God. That is a process in which we now participate, and the consummation of which we anticipate. Scripture reading for Advent will reflect this emphasis on the Second Advent, including themes of accountability for faithfulness at His coming, judgment on sin, and the hope of eternal life.

In this double focus on past and future, Advent also symbolizes the spiritual journey of individuals and a congregation, as they affirm that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today, and that He will come again in power.

The passing of each Sunday is marked by the lighting of a new candle on the Advent wreath. The wreath is formed of five candles. The purple candles are coloured in accordance with the season. The pink candle is traditionally lit on the third Sunday in Advent and reminds the congregation of the joy of the coming of Christ. The Sunday is known as Gaudete Sunday. The last candle to be lit, the white candle, symbolises the presence of Christ and is joyfully lit on Christmas Day.

The Advent Wreath

Here is one explanation of the symbolism of the Advent wreath of candles:

• The Circle of the Wreath: The eternity and endless mercy, of God, without beginning, nor end.
• The Green of the Wreath: Our hope of newness, renewal and eternal life.
• Light of the Candles: The Light of God that came into the world through Christ to bring newness, life and hope.
• Lighting the Candles: The progressive departure of darkness from the world as the more and more light is shed through the candles.
• Four Candles: The four weeks of Advent, representing the four centuries between the time of the Prophet Malachi and the birth of Christ.
• Three Coloured (purple) Candles: A period of waiting, expectation and preparation.
• The First Candle: A time of expectation and hope.
• The Second Candle: The peace that is to come.
• The Pink (or Rose) Candle for the Third Week: It symbolizes joy for the promise is almost fulfilled.
• The Fourth Candle: The love of God for humanity.
• The Fifth White Candle: Called the "Center Candle", it is lit on Christmas Eve or Day to display that the light of Christ has come into the world in fulfillment of the prophecies.

© RLM Arts. Used with permission.