Advent comes from the Latin word “adventus” meaning “coming.” During the season of Advent, we prepare and wait with hope to celebrate Jesus’ birth at Christmas. Advent can be a season where we open our hearts to the presence of God.
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As we sing in “Silent Night,” Jesus is “Son of God, love’s pure light.” We are people of the light, who are called to share the light of Christ in the world. Through our small acts of service, love and care, we offer the light of Christ to give hope to the hopeless.
In Isaiah 42:5-7, the prophet Isaiah writes:
Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.
In many churches, lighting a candle on an Advent wreath is an important part of Advent services. The wreath is a circle, because God’s love for us has no end. Greenery symbolizes life. Each week we light a candle to remind us of the hope, peace, joy and love that God gifts us.
Prayer: God of Hope, fill me with your hope, that I may share your light of hope this Advent season. Give me the courage to respond to your call, and open my eyes and heart to the people you place in my path. Amen.
Activity: Create an Advent Wreath
As you create your wreath and use it this season, know that you are one of God’s beloved children. A special at-home Advent wreath liturgy is available for you to use as you light the candles on your wreath.
Use an Advent wreath you already have or make one with materials you have on hand. You could use five vases filled with ornaments (three with purple, one with pink, one with white) and place a candle in each one, or you can make one out of cardboard tubes (see instructions below).
Cardboard Tube Advent Wreath
You will need:
1 paper plate
Construction paper (green, white, pink and either blue or purple)
3 empty paper towel tubes cut in half or 5 empty toilet paper tubes
5 strips of yellow tissue paper
Scissors
Glue
- Cut out the center of the paper plate so that it is shaped like a ring/wreath.
- Use the green construction paper to cover the wreath (if you’d like an extra decoration, you can trace handprints, cut them out and glue them on the paper plate to symbolize greenery.)
- Cover three tubes with blue or purple paper, cover one tube with pink paper and cover one tube with white paper.
- Place the 3 purple tubes and 1 pink tube on the wreath.Place the white tube in the center.
- Each week, use a strip of tissue paper to “light” your candle. Week 3 is the pink candle, and the white candle is “lit” on Christmas Eve or Day.
