Third Sunday of Advent

Last Sunday (the 8th) since the weather was a bit adverse, we decided to attend St. Paul Lutheran Church here in Millard as it is very near to our home.  It was the second Sunday of Advent and according to the Lutheran tradition it was the Sunday of Preparation.  I really do enjoy taking in a Lutheran service every so often, and Gail really enjoys St. Paul's early service since it's a traditional service.

Today we went back to Benson Baptist for their 8:30 am service.  I was happy to see that John & Stella Watts and their family along with my good friend Edsel Buchanan were lighting the third candle for Advent the 'Love Candle'.  John is the son of Jesse's wife Kathy Brown and Stella is Edsel's daughter.  I'm always happy to see Edsel as he is enduring the onset of Alzheimer's disease.  Thankfully he seems to be doing very well.  He is always happy and lively, and he never hesitates in recognizing me.  I pray that he's able to remain alert and healthy for  many more years.

One of the puzzling things about the Advent tradition is why are there so many different themes attached to the four Advent Candles (purple and pink or rose).

Here are just a few examples:

Promise, Light, Love, Hope

Hope, Peace, Joy, Love

Prophecy, Bethlehem, Shepherd, Angel

Hope, Preparation, Joy, Love

Prophecy, Way, Joy, Peace

Expectation,  John the Baptist, Mary, Magi

Waiting for the Shepherd, Waiting for Forgiveness, Waiting for Joy, Waiting for the Son

But for us American Baptist (at least in the Churches I've attended) it is:

Hope, Peace, Love, Joy

The following is largely taken from this web-page: 

The Meaning and History of Advent

The Advent Wreath

The Meaning of Advent and the Origin of the Advent Wreath

The season of Advent is understood today to be a time of preparation for Christmas, the feast of the birth of Jesus. The name of this season is taken from the Latin adventus, which means “coming”, and in the early Church the word was used mainly for Christmas itself, the coming of Jesus, the Son of God, into the world. Gradually, however, adventus began to have a slightly different meaning and referred, as it does today, to the season of preparation for the feast of Christ’s coming to humanity. In the Middle Ages this meaning was extended and His coming was seen in three different ways: His birth at Bethlehem in the past; His second and future coming at the end of time; His present coming through grace into the hearts and souls of His people. And so in Advent we prepare to celebrate the past; we prepare to receive Christ into our lives in the present; and we prepare for the end of the world and the coming of Heaven.

The Advent wreath originated a few hundred years ago among the Lutherans of eastern Germany. It was probably suggested by the many light symbols which were prominent in folk customs at the end of November and beginning of December. At that time of the year, the pagans of Northern Europe celebrated the month of Yule (December) with the burning of lights and fires to dispel the gloom of the short days and long dark nights of winter. In medieval times Christians kept many of these light and fire symbols alive as popular traditions. Later, in the sixteenth century these practices were given a Christian meaning and lights came to be used as religious symbols of Advent in the home. This practice quickly spread among the Protestants of eastern Germany and was soon accepted by Protestants and Catholics in other parts of the country.

The Advent wreath is a wreath of evergreens of various kinds, some with symbolic meaning. It can either be suspended from the ceiling or placed on a table. Fastened to the wreath are four candles standing upright, at equal distances. These candles represent the four weeks of Advent. A fifth candle the 'Christ' candle is generally added during the celebration of Christmas Eve.

The traditional symbolism of the Advent wreath reminds us of Old Testament times, when humanity was “sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death” (Luke 1:79); when the prophets, illumined by God, foretold a Redeemer; and when the hearts of men yearned for a Messiah who would save the world. The wreath - an ancient symbol of victory and glory - symbolizes the “fulfillment of time” in the coming of Christ and the glory of His birth.

The Many Symbols of the Advent Wreath

The symbols of the Advent wreath should be explained to the children to make the service more meaningful and exciting for them. It makes certain teachings of our Faith visible, even touchable and is a very effective way to present these to children.

First of all, and most important, is the symbolism of light. The children will have surely noticed that in winter the days become shorter and the nights become longer. It should be pointed out to them that at Christmas this changes, and the days begin to get longer and the nights shorter. The progressive lighting of candles symbolizes the coming of the spiritual light of Christ into the world and anticipates the change in physical light which takes place at Christmas.

The wreath itself is round, a circle. This reminds us of the crowns worn by kings and of crowns made of laurel (bay) leaves presented to those who were victorious in the athletic games of the ancient world. It points out to us that Jesus Christ is our true King and that He is victorious over those things which would hurt us - evil, sin, and death.

The wreath, again, is circular and this is a symbol of the eternity of God, who, like a circle, has no beginning nor an end. The candles placed on the wreath remind us that in Jesus’ birth at Bethlehem, He who was eternal, the Son of God, entered into our world of time and change. (Theologians call this the “intersection of time and eternity”. How amazing that such a profound idea can be made visible by a few branches and candles!)

Point out to the children that the differing lengths of the candles show us the passing of time as we get nearer to Christmas.

Each candle on the wreath stands for a Sunday (and its following week) of the Advent season. Candles 1, 2, and 4 are purple. In the ancient world purple dye was very expensive and could only by afforded by kings. The purple candles tell us that the one whose birth we are preparing to celebrate is our true King. The rose candle (3rd Sunday) tells us that Advent is half over and Christmas is getting nearer and nearer. Its lighter color is a symbolic anticipation of our joy when we celebrate the birth of Jesus.

The Advent wreath is made of evergreens, which are symbolic of life itself and, since they last through the winter, point to God’s gift of life which comes to us even when the world is dark and threatening. Many kinds of evergreens can be used when we make the wreaths at Church. Others can be added later on at home. Each has its own symbolic meaning.

Pine , the most common evergreen, points to Everlasting Life.

laurel (Bay), which was used to crown those who won in the games, signifies victory.

cedar , because it is long lasting and aromatic, is symbolic of strength and healing.

Juniper , holly, and rosemary By legend these plants provided shelter and help for the Holy Family when they fled from Bethlehem to Egypt. The fragrance of rosemary, it has been said, began when the Virgin Mary laid out the Infant Jesus’ clothes to dry on this plant. The rosemary bush responded by perfuming the Christ Child’s clothing.

Holly . Its prickly leaves remind us of the Crown of Thorns. Its red berries remind us of the Blood of Jesus shed for us upon the Cross.

Ivy , since it is frequently used as a decoration, has always been a symbol of joy and festivity.

May you all have a wonderful week in peace and love.

In God's constant care,

Roy