Waiting for Christmas

Now that the turkey and pumpkin pie has been consumed, and the decorative pilgrims have been packed away, many of us are getting out our Christmas decorations. Of course, there are numerous opinions about when to get them out and when to light the house or the tree.

I have always been a believer in “sooner is better.” So we like to put our Christmas decorations out on Thanksgiving weekend to be ready for the First Sunday of Advent, which is usually the Sunday following Thanksgiving. The reason is not merely that I like the decorations up as long as possible (although that is certainly true), but I also feel that there is a whole season prior to Christmas that helps us get in the mindset, and in the spirit.

The problem is that some people don’t like to wait that long. They feel like if the decorations are up too long, the waiting can get excruciating. But, then, isn’t that the point of Advent?

Advent is a season of waiting, expecting, and hoping. Beginning four Sundays prior to Christmas and ending on Christmas Eve, Advent helps us prepare for the coming, or “advent” of the Christ child at Christmas. (The word “advent” comes from the Latin word that means “coming.”)

For hundreds of years, Christians have used an Advent wreath to inspire their hopes for the coming of Christ. By lighting candles and reading Bible verses, we are reminded about the meaning of Christ’s birth and become more excited about his coming in the past, in the future, and in our own lives.

We do the same as a part of our worship services, and we have lit advent wreaths at home with our children. There are many advent devotions you can get on-line. We used to light our candles at the dinner table and read the devotion before we ate. Kids really enjoy the novelty of it, and it brings a special thoughtfulness to the season.

There is no set meaning for the candles of the Advent wreath (except for the middle candle, which always signifies the birth of Jesus the Christ and is often called the Christ Candle). I have been in churches where the candles point to peace, hope, joy, and love. In other settings they are identified with key figures in the stories of the birth of Jesus, such as the shepherds, the angels, Joseph, and Mary. The main point is the theme of waiting that gives structure and meaning to the Advent candles, with each candle focused on different aspects of our waiting.

Advent wreaths employ candles with a variety of colors. Some wreaths use all white candles; others use three purple or blue candles, one pink candle, and one white candle in the middle. I share an understanding of the Advent wreath with many Christians for whom the purple candles remind us of how serious and solemn God’s people have been in waiting for the Messiah. The pink signifies the joy of our waiting. The white is triumphant and celebrative because Christ is born.

Speaking of children, they have great expectations and hopes during Advent – usually associated with Christmas presents, Santa Claus, holiday celebrations, and so forth. Rather than discouraging these hopes (which is a “hopeless” task!), I would urge parents to help their children get the “feel” of Advent by relating their hopes to biblical Advent themes.

     May we all have a blessed Advent and be lifted up in our waiting season