ADVENT
The word Advent comes form the Latin word ‘adventus’ meaning ‘coming.’
Advent season is the period of four weeks before Christmas Day. During this period we celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world. The period is marked by the spirit of waiting and preparation for the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is also the beginning of our liturgical year which begins on the First Sunday of Advent and ends on Christmas Eve.
The color of Advent is purple which is the royal color for welcoming the arrival of the King.
The purple color is also used in Lent to signify the suffering of Jesus and his death on the cross for our salvation.
Purple candles are lit on the first and second Sundays of advent and a pink candle is added on the third Sunday as a sign of peace, love, hope and joy that the coming King brings to the world.
The center White candle is called the Christ Candle and is lighted on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day together with the other four candles to remind us that the incarnation of the Son of God is the heart of the season of advent. Jesus is the true light that comes to the world to give light to every person who comes to the world. (John 1:1-9)
In John 1:4 the apostle John says : “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
Why did the Son of God become a human being?
St. Irenaeus of the early Church once said that God “became what we are in order to make us what He is Himself.”
The Apostle John says: “As many as received Him, to them he gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” (John 1:12)
The Son of God became a human being so that He might make us the children of God.
Any person who receives Jesus Christ as his or her personal savior is given the right to become a child of God.
If you have never received Jesus as your Lord and savior you are welcome to do so today and you will enjoy Christmas as a child of God.