Why We Observe Advent December 1, 2014
One of ouryearly traditions at Parker Hills is to observe Advent for the four Sundaysleading to Christmas. Short readings, candle lightings, and a Christmas-themedsermon series are the central features of our tradition. It’s a special time,but we don’t do it just because it’s nice. There are bigger reasons.
First, itprovides us with a unique opportunity to demonstrate our unity with otherChristian churches all over the world and throughout history. For well over1500 years, Christians have observed Christmas, not just on the day itself, butthrough a sequence of Sundays leading up to the day. The candles and greens arepart of this larger tradition. The candles traditionally symbolize the light ofGod entering the world through the birth of Jesus; and the four outer candlesare sometimes taken to represent the four centuries of waiting between the endof the Old Testament and Christ’s birth. The center candle traditionallyrepresents Jesus, and for that reason it’s not lit until Christmas Eve. The pointhere is that we might not be exactly the same as other Christian churches onevery particular, but we do share a common hope and joy in the coming of theSavior!
Second,Advent reminds us of the need to prepare our hearts for Jesus’ return. As weponder the Christmas story through our Advent readings, we’re always remindedof the many people who were so regrettably unprepared for the coming of theMessiah that night in Bethlehem,even though they knew He was going to come eventually. It’s a helpful opportunityto examine ourselves to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to us when Hecomes to earth the second time. Advent, then, is a season for repentance andchange as much as it is a season of hope and anticipation.
Andfinally, it helps keep the true meaning of Christmas before us throughout thewhole season. In a culture where Christmas is so heavily commercialized andsecularized, it’s a welcome relief to punctuate the madness with four weeklyopportunities to reflect and refocus on the real Reason for the season.
So we say, let’s joinbelievers across town and across the centuries. Let’s prepare our hearts forthe Savior’s return. And let’s rejoice that Emmanuel has come!