The Christmas period is upon us. During this time, most people are too busy and stressed. Employees throw office parties. The students take their final exams and plan to see all their old friends over the holidays. Families decorate, cook and plan visits to their loved ones. And everyone runs to buy gifts.
Unfortunately, many of the traditions that have developed around Christmas can easily crowd out time spent in quiet reflection on the true reason for this period. And the one tradition designed to ensure that we do just that is increasingly ignored in our current secular age: Advent.
Advent is a beautiful season that has historically been observed by Christians around the world as a time of anticipation and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Rooted in centuries of tradition, Advent, from the Latin word “adventus” meaning “coming” or “arrival,” is a time of deep significance for Bible-believing Christians. This article aims to explore the historical roots and spiritual significance of Advent, delving into its richly woven tapestry of biblical truths and timeless traditions, while encouraging Christians to take time to embrace, anticipate, and consider the true meaning of the coming of Christ. that we celebrate at Christmas.
The historic Advent tapestry
The origins of Advent date back to the early centuries of the Christian Church. Although the specific practices and length of the season have evolved over time, the essence of Advent has remained consistent: a time of reflection, repentance, and joyful waiting. Early Christians, deeply rooted in Old Testament prophecies announcing the coming of a Messiah, viewed Advent as a time to prepare their hearts for the fulfillment of God’s promises.
As Christianity spread and became more organized, various Christian denominations developed their own Advent observances. Although I am Protestant, it is accurate to note that the Roman Catholic Church played an important role in formalizing the liturgical aspects of Advent, establishing a four-week period of preparation leading up to Christmas Day. In contrast, the Eastern Orthodox Church maintains a longer Advent period, beginning on November 15 and focusing on both the first and second coming of Christ.
Protestants, however, have developed their own rich manifestations of Advent liturgy and traditions over the years. These include:
- Daily devotions that often focus on prophecies predicting the birth of Jesus in the Old Testament and corresponding passages in the New Testament.
- The use of an Advent wreath with candle lighting. The wreath usually features four candles, each representing a different theme: hope, peace, joy and love. A candle is lit each of the four Sundays before Christmas, and sometimes a fifth central candle, known as the Christ candle, is lit on Christmas Day.
- Advent hymns that reflect themes of anticipation, waiting, and the arrival of the Messiah.
- Advent services, such as candlelight services, Advent concerts, or shows depicting the Christmas story. These gatherings provide opportunities for communal worship and reflection.
The Biblical Foundation of Advent
From an evangelical perspective, the roots of Advent are firmly anchored in Scripture. The Old Testament is full of prophecies announcing the coming of a Redeemer who would bring salvation and establish the Kingdom of God. The Gospel of Matthew, for example, opens with a genealogy linking Jesus to the line of David, emphasizing his messianic credentials. The angelic proclamation to Mary in Luke 1:31-33 further highlights the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies at the birth of Jesus.
The Advent season is an opportunity for believers to immerse themselves in these biblical stories, tracing the stages of God’s redemptive plan. The lighting of Advent candles, each representing a different aspect of the Christmas story, serves as a tangible reminder of the journey from prophecy to fulfillment. The first candle often symbolizes hope, reflecting anticipation of the arrival of the Messiah, while subsequent candles represent themes such as peace, joy and love, reflecting the virtues embodied in Christ.
Theological reflections on Advent
Conservative, Bible-believing Christians view Advent not only as a historical commemoration but also as a theological reflection on the dual nature of Christ’s coming. Advent encompasses both the Incarnation – when the Word became flesh in the person of Jesus – and the eschatological expectation of his second coming. This duality gives the season profound depth, inspiring believers to contemplate the mystery of God dwelling among humanity and the promise of His triumphant return.
The season of Advent encourages believers to adopt a posture of repentance and spiritual preparation, echoing the biblical exhortations of John the Baptist, the “messenger” sent ahead. The Gospel of Mark records John’s proclamation: “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight the paths for him” (Mark 1:3, NIV). This call to preparation resonates through the ages, urging believers to examine their hearts, repent of their sins, and align their lives with the teachings of Christ.
Traditional Advent Practices in Conservative Christianity
As mentioned, Bible-believing evangelicals engage in various practices during Advent to foster a sense of sacred anticipation. The practices of lighting Advent candles, scripture readings, and special prayers, as well as the Advent wreath, a circular arrangement of evergreen branches with candles, serve as a visual representation of eternal nature of God’s promises and the infinite nature of his love.
Christians sometimes also incorporate the observance of a Jesse tree into their Advent traditions. The Tree of Jesse is a visual representation of Jesus’ genealogy, tracing his lineage through key figures and events from the Old Testament. Each day leading up to Christmas, a new symbol or ornament is added to the tree, deepening the understanding of God’s redemptive plan and the meaning of Jesus’ birth.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the celebration of Advent reveals a deep woven tapestry of historical significance, biblical truths, and timeless traditions. As believers journey through the four weeks of anticipation, they engage in deep and meaningful reflection on the historic fulfillment of the prophecies regarding the birth of Jesus and the future hope of his return. Advent, rooted in the Old and New Testaments, offers believers a sacred time to prepare their hearts, cultivate their virtues, and celebrate the incarnation of our Savior – a time that continues to resonate through the corridors of time with lasting relevance and significance.
So if you’ve never fully enjoyed Advent, give it a try this year. Not only will it help you shed the age-old excesses of this season by focusing squarely on Christ and His birth, but the anticipation will make the dawn of Christmas morning even sweeter.
Originally published at Stand up for Freedom Center.
William Wolfe is a visiting scholar at the Center for Renewing America. He served as a senior official in the Trump administration, serving as both deputy secretary of defense at the Pentagon and director of legislative affairs at the State Department. Prior to his service in the administration, Wolfe worked for Heritage Action for America and as a congressional staffer for three different members of Congress, including former Representative Dave Brat. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Covenant College and is completing his master’s degree in divinity at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Follow William on Twitter at @William_E_Wolfe
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