Advent Spirituality

Advent Prayer: "Father, You loved the world so much that in the fullness of time You sent Your only Son to be our Savior. Incarnate by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, He lived as one of us, yet without sin. To the poor in spirit He proclaimed the Good News of salvation; to prisoners, freedom; to the sorrowful, joy. To fulfill Your purpose He gave Himself up to death; and rising from the grave, destroyed death, and made the whole creation new."

Here in this prayer is the hope by which we live, a hope to shape our attitude about life, a hope that determines our relationships to the events of the world, a hope that gets us through the bitter times of sickness, disappointments, shattered dreams, and the fear of death.

Advent spirituality is a time to long for the coming of the Savior. The appropriate sense of this season is captured in the pleading of "O come, O come, Emmanuel (or Immanuel: God with us), ..."

The focus of the entire Advent 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. The theme of Bible readings and teachings during Advent is often to prepare for the Second Coming while commemorating the First Coming of Christ at Christmas. With the view of directing the thoughts of Christians to the first coming of Jesus Christ as Savior and to His second coming as Judge, special readings are prescribed for each of the four Sundays in Advent.

+ Matthew 1:23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14), which is translated, "God with us." + Luke 2:21: "On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise Him, He was named Jesus , the name the angel had given Him before He had been conceived." (Jesus: Savior = (Joshua (Hebrew): Yahweh,Jehovah,God is salvation or the LORD saves).

+ Hebrews.9:28: "So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him. + 2.Peter.3:14: "So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him."

Because Advent is a time of longing for redemption, we should use the Advent season as a period to identify the matters from which we need to be redeemed. Identify whatever it is that seems to be holding you in its power: Take a piece of paper and write at the top, "Powers that hold me in their grip." Then begin to list everything that you can think of from which you would like to be set free. These powers may be bad habits, undesirable relationships, a vice such as a bad temper, jealousy, envy, or dishonesty, or any blockage to living by the spirit of joy, temperance, or generosity. Whatever it may be, commit it to the One who comes to set the prisoners free, turn it over to Christ in prayer, and ask the One who is to come into your life to take this problem up into Himself.

+ Philippians.4:6-7: "6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

There is one more matter that is important in this discipline, however. If you would truly turn this issue over to Christ, the decision must come from the inside -- from the heart and the will. You must purpose it. One of our greatest problems is that we make our decisions intellectually without recourse to the deeper side of our personality. Obviously the mind must be engaged in our decisions, but decisions of life that are primarily formed in the mind without the pain of a gut-wrenching longing that results in sleepless nights and moments of deep anxiety are too often dismissed with the wave of the hand or a rationalization that seems intelligent and acceptable. In your prayer, plead and petition the God who is coming in Christ to touch you on the inside and to birth in you an anxious and heavy longing to be redeemed from the power that holds you in its grip. Then and only then will Christ come to be born in your heart.

+ Philippians 4:13: "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." + John 14:23: Jesus replied, "If anyone loves Me, he will obey My teaching. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him." . + Revelation 3:20: "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me."

In Advent spirituality we are also called on to meditate on the birthing of Christ in our hearts. In this matter we are dealing with the conversion of life, the movement away from the old life lived under the power of sins and evil to the new life lived in the power of the Holy Spirit (John.3:5-7; 2Cor.5:16-21; 1Cor.1:30; Eph.4:22-24; ...). True conversion is a turning from one way of life to another. Christ calls us to be converted to Him, to make Him the pattern of our lives, to make our living and dying a living and dying in Him. This can only be accomplished as we completely submit to Him and live our lives in respect to His paschal mystery and by the example He left for us to follow.

+ 2.Corinthians.5:17: "So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!"

Advent is a time to review once again where our faith is placed and how our lives are lived. Trust in Jesus is not merely a onetime act but a continuous state of being, a moment-by-moment existence in Christ. It is a daily turning from a life lived for self to a life lived in tune with the power of the Spirit who continually calls us to be like Jesus.

+ Hebrews.12:2 "Looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, ..." + 1.Peter.1:15: "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;" + Ephesians.5:1-2: "1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

+ Colossians.3:17: "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." + 1.Corinthians.10:31: "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

Some people who have lived particularly wild lives find the contrast between their old way of life and their new way of life to be dramatic and vivid. This was certainly the experience of St. Paul, whose dramatic conversion resulted in an about-face. But for many the transfer of allegiance to Christ and to the way of life He calls us to emulate is quieter and less discernible. Many of us who have been reared in Christian homes and nurtured in the faith are not able to point with certainty to the precise moment of conversion. Whether we come into the faith through a stormy and cataclysmic experience or were parented into Christ is not the real issue. What is at stake during Advent is an assessment of our current state of faith and living and our commitment to keep on living in the hope to which we have been called.

+ Ephesians 4:22-24: "22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

Advent asks us to deal with the basics of our relationship to God through Jesus Christ. Do I really believe in Christ? Have I put my hope and trust in Him? Do I see the future through the eyes of the One who came to redeem the world from the power of darkness and evil? Is there a longing within me for Him to be formed within, to take up residence in my personal life, in my home, and in my vocation? These are not easy questions to answer. They require meditation, intention, and above all, a commitment that remains steadfast. But if we would break away from a spiritual life growing cold and a Christ who is becoming distant, we must be attentive to our spiritual discipline and long for God to break in on us with new life. When we do this, we experience the true meaning of Advent spirituality.

+ 1.Corinthians.1:30-31: "He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

+ Romans.8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

-- R. E. Webber, + ...

Celebrating Advent and Christmas

Active Christians do special things to mark the holy purposes of the Advent season. Many churches have Wednesday night services like those during Lent, only with a lot more praise, joy, and song. Those who come are often invited to confess their sins in prayer, or to join in group prayers afterward. Choirs practice music in a more-classical vein, especially Handel's Messiah. Chapels and prayer rooms open longer. The Christmas songs start coming in one or two Sundays before Christmas.

Because Christmas has become the most important holiday of all in the traditionally-Christian countries, Advent has become a preparation not just for the Christ Child but also for everything else that happens Christmas day. Most people spend all four weeks of Advent (and then some!) buying or making gifts to give out for Christmas, scheduling Christmas travel, and setting up the bounties of the big Christmas meal. By the time it's over, we need a vacation from the holiday! In colder, wintry countries, Christmastide is when we celebrate what winter holds in store -- snow, skis, sleds, warm drink, icicles, glittering ice-covered trees, fireplaces, snowmen, snowball fights, skating, and a refreshing nip in the air.

Advent and Christmas Foods

Everyone has their favorite holiday foods. In some traditions, families start the Christmas feast right after returning from the late-night or midnight Christ's Mass.

Christmas Caroling

Quite possibly the most fun during Advent is found when caroling. Most caroling today is done between Advent week 2 and 4, far enough away from Christmas day so that people still have time for their Christmas preparations but not so far away as to miss the feel of the season. Carols are about Christmas more than Advent, and include mainly well-known hymns and popular-style songs (some of which are not at all religious).

Advent Wreaths and Candles

A common Advent tradition is that of the Advent wreath. The wreath is made of evergreen branches with four candleholders and candles, often hung from the ceiling. Since in Advent we're waiting for the Christ child, there needs to be a ceremonial way to mark the time and make us aware of the wait.

Lighting a candle reminds us of Christ as light of the world. As the candle is lit, it's customary to sing a verse or two of "O Come O Come Emmanuel". One candle is lit for each Sunday in Advent: one on the first Sunday, two on the second, and so on. Some in high-church circles frown on Advent wreaths in the sanctuary and lighting ceremonies during worship. Where that happens, those ceremonies can still be a part of how your Advent worship at home. Use a five-candle holder with a place for a middle candle, then put in four red candles (one for each Sunday in Advent) and one white candle (for lighting on Christmas day), lit in the same pattern as for the wreath. On Christmas day, all four red ones are lit, and then the Christmas candle.

Advent is one of the few Christian festivals that can be observed in the home as well as at church. In its association with Christmas, Advent is a natural time to involve children in activities at home that directly connect with worship at church. In the home an Advent wreath is often placed on the dining table and the candles lighted at meals, with Scripture readings preceding the lighting of the candles, especially on Sunday. A new candle is lighted each Sunday during the four weeks, and then the same candles are lighted each meal during the week. In this context, it provides the opportunity for family devotion and prayer together, and helps teach the Faith to children, especially if they are involved in reading the daily Scriptures.

More Advent Traditions

+ Christmas cards (E-card, Email): are usually exchanged during the weeks preceding Christmas Day on December 25 by many people (including non-Christians). The traditional greeting reads "wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year." There are innumerable variations on this greeting, many cards expressing more religious sentiment, or containing a poem, prayer or Biblical verse; others stay away from religion with an all-inclusive "Season's greetings".

+ Christmas tree: Another common tradition is that of decorating and blessing their Christmas tree. The Sundays before Christmas (Advent week 3 or 4) are often set aside for this task. Decorations include colored lights, balls (originally used to reflect a tree's candlelight in a dazzling way), tinsel (resembling the glittering icicles found on fir trees in icy lands), chrismons (wood, foam, or embroidered symbols and monograms for Christ), and on top, a star. Advent star, which symbolizes the star that led the Wise Men to Jesus, who is "the bright and morning star" (Revelation 22:16). + Traditionally, the house decorations stay up until Epiphany, 12 days after Christmas. The tree may have to come down slightly earlier if it dries out. The fragrance released when the tree is removed is memorably refreshing.

+ Christmas manger: Advent is also when many families start making their own creche or manger scene. In one modern turn on the old tradition, a family does not make the creche all at once, but piece by piece, with each family member adding a piece, one a day in front of the family, telling the significance of each piece.

Santa Claus

Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas (4th-century Greek Christian bishop of Myra), father at Christmas, Kris Kringle or simply "Santa", is a legendary figure who, in many Western cultures, brings gifts to the homes of the good children during the late evening and overnight hours of Christmas Eve, December 24 or on his Feast Day, Dec.6. ++ There has long been some opposition to teaching children to believe in Santa Claus.

Rituals surrounding Santa Claus are performed throughout the world by children hoping to receive gifts from the mythical character. Some rituals (such as visiting a department store Santa, taking pictures with children, ...) occur in the weeks and days before Christmas while others, such as preparing snacks for Santa, are specific to Christmas Eve. Some rituals, such as setting out stockings to be filled with gifts, are age-old traditions while others, such as NORAD's tracking of Santa's sleigh through the night skies on Christmas Eve, are modern inventions. + Writing letters to Santa Claus has been a Christmas tradition for children for many years. These letters normally contain a wishlist of toys and assertions of good behavior.

Santa Claus and the chimney: The tradition of Santa Claus entering dwellings through the chimney may reach back to the tale of Saint Nicholas tossing coins through a window, and, in a later version of the tale, tossing coins down a chimney when he finds the window locked.

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++ Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide–open–heart that thinks of others first. The birth of the baby Jesus stands as the most significant event in all history, because it has meant the pouring into a sick world the healing medicine of love which has transformed all manner of hearts for almost two thousand years... Underneath all the bulging bundles is this beating Christmas heart. -- George Matthew Adams



-- John 3:16-17
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have Eternal Life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.

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"Shall We Share the Truth this Christmas?"

This Christmas Day, while we sit with our family and friends
Shall we share the truth of how it all began?
Will we brag on what gifts we gave and received?
or will we share with our children in what we believe?

The season has lost it’s meaning to some
so few share how the season had really begun.
The Birth of Christ was a Gift from above
A Gift from God to prove His great love.

Children may ask for material things
We need to give them the story of what God’s Gift brings
Although we give them gifts from our heart
Keep Christ in their Christmas right from the start.

The presents they get will get broken or lost,
some presents are given at a great cost.
but no value can be placed on the REAL Christmas Story
So remember this Christmas to give God all the Glory!

Sing Happy Birthday to Baby Jesus this year
For, if not for Him there would be no great cheer.
Sing a few carols, reminisce about the past
Share the REAL story of Christmas,

It’s the One present that definitely will last.

-- Lynn

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You can never truly enjoy Christmas
until you can look up into the Father's face
and tell Him you have received His Christmas Gift.
-- John R. Rice

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What can I give Him?
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd,
I would bring a lamb.
If I were a wise man,
I would do my part.
Yet what can I give Him,
Give Him my heart.
-- C.Rossetti


-- John 1:1-2,14
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.
+ 14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, Who came from the Father, full of Grace and Truth.

-- Ephesians 2:8-10
8 For it is by Grace you have been Saved, through Faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the Gift of God -- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

-- 1 John 3:19-24
+ 19 This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in His presence 20 whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything.
+ 21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from Him anything we ask, because we obey His commands and do what pleases Him.
+ 23 And this is His command: to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us. 24 Those who obey His commands live in Him, and He in them. And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us."

+ Titus 3:4-7
"4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life."

-- Romans 10:9-10
9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

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-- 2 Corinthians 13:14
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

May the Joyful Blessings   and   the Holy Spirit of "Christmas"
Always be with you and family!