Advent: What, How and Why?
What is Advent and Why Do We Celebrate It at City Church?
Advent is a four-week preparatory season leading up to Christmas. It encourages us to wait and to prepare. Our goal is to more greatly appreciate the astonishing humility of the Incarnation of the Son of God – and anticipate His coming again in power and glory.
The Bible does not tell us to observe Advent, but it has been a part of the historical church’s calendar for a long time, calling us to prepare the way for the Lord. The City Church Elders believe that observing Advent helps us combat many distractions of the holiday season.
How Advent Helps Us
Advent helps us align our December calendars with the story of God. Often we spend more time in December thinking about the demands of Christmas than the glory of Christ. Through gathered worship on Sundays and family devotions/readings during the week, Advent helps us to dedicate December as a time to reflect on what is most precious to us: God’s gift of Himself in Christ eclipsing all others.
Advent stirs our longings for the second coming of Christ. Though Christ’s Kingdom is already present in the world (and in us!), it is also not yet fully realized. Advent stirs our hearts to pray for Christ’s return, to groan for the current brokenness of the world and ourselves, and to give ourselves more fully to God’s redeeming purposes in the world.
Advent gives us a strategic opportunity to share the hope of Christ’s coming with our friends/family who are not yet connected to Jesus or the church. Both as the church gathered on Sundays and the church scattered throughout the week, the lead up to Christmas affords us a great opportunity to share the Gospel. Many of our friends/family who are not connected to Jesus will consider coming to church and talking about Jesus during the holidays. We want to be available for these opportunities, for the glory of Jesus and the good of our loved ones.
Observing Advent in My Home Throughout the Week
Advent is traditionally celebrated with an Advent Wreath, a circular candleholder that supports five candles. Each night, when an individual, family, or group gathers to celebrate and pray, candles are lit: one candle during the first week, two candles during the second week, and so on, until all five are lit on Christmas Eve.
Advent wreaths can be purchased inexpensively at local stores or online. Or, you can observe Advent with five candles that you already have in the house. However you choose to arrange your Advent Wreath is unimportant; what is important is devoting ourselves to prayer, reflection and doing God’s will as we look back at Christ’s coming and look forward to His return.
See the Advent Guide HERE
In the Morning or Evening:
Say the Advent greeting.
Sing the hymn stanza.
Light your Advent Wreath: one candle in the first week, two candles in the second week, etc.
Read one of the four readings.
Children say the Advent prayer.
Consider the questions in light of the Scripture reading.
Adult and older children, pray as you feel led.
Conclude with the benediction.
