Celebrating Advent: Waiting as a Family

The overly busy Christmas, the commercialization of Christmas, the secularization of Christmas and the bemoaning of it all, have become ubiquitous clichés in our society.  However, this sacred/secular dichotomy is not just a modern problem, it dates back well before A Charlie Brown Christmas. 

The first generations of Christians did not celebrate Christmas; the earliest account of the Jesus story (found in the gospel of Mark) doesn’t include an account of his birth and Paul’s writings also do not mention Jesus’ birth. 

Scholars conclude, from what little information they have, that Jesus was most likely born in the spring, not December. The reason we even celebrate Christmas on December 25^th is because early Christians, who were being persecuted, needed something to celebrate so as not to appear suspicious to their pagan neighbors celebrating the winter solstice.

In some ways the modern day pressure and hugeness of this holiday speaks to its importance. Somewhere in our culture's collective heart, there is a real sense that Christmas matters.

Of course much of these peripheral celebrations cloud or dilute the "true meaning of Christmas.” That meaning God entering into our busy, secular, commercialized world as a true and full human being, all in order to fully and perfectly share God's love with humanity. Just as God entered our world, we don’t to need retract from the world. For God doesn’t call us out of the messiness of life, but God meets us in the middle of the mess. 

God in entering into this world, had to give up his glory and power. There are some traditions that follow this lead, fighting all of the glitz and glamour of Christmas to have a "pure" and respectful Christmas. But just the act of celebrating on Dec. 25th, ties them to pagan traditions. However, Advent is about preparing for the party, not shunning the party all together. Jesus said, "I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10b)  

Throughout Christian history, beginning around the ninth century, families have celebrated the coming of Jesus by lighting Advent candles. Traditionally, the four weeks before Christmas were set aside to prepare for the celebration of Jesus' birth. Every generation has had to face the problem of the secularization of the birth of Christ. The simple family worship service of lighting Advent candles has been one way Christians have sought to bring a biblical focus and an awareness of God’s message of love expressed in the incarnation throughout the Christmas season.

For the Christian, Advent is the time we focus on the message of the prophets that, “a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel - God with us.”

Here we will share simple Advent devotionals, one for each week leading up to Christmas. Once a week, gather your family around the Advent wreath and take some time to focus on the Christmas message of that week—hope, peace, joy and love.

Download the pdf of Advent Devotional: Week 1 here.

THE ADVENT WREATH AND CANDLES

The use of candles, a wreath of greens, carols, readings from the Bible, prayers and stories have traditionally been a part of this Christian tradition called Advent.

A wreath of greens with four candles set in its circle: this is the Advent wreath. It is round, symbolizing God’s eternity -- God was, is and always shall be. Traditionally, it has been made of green boughs, as a sign of ever-new life. The candles remind us of the light which came into the world with the birth of Jesus Christ.

The tradition is for three purple, one pink and one white candle to be used. The meaning of the candles:

First Candle: Purple/Hope

Second Candle: Purple/Peace

Third Candle: Pink/Joy

Fourth Candle: Purple/Love

Center Candle: White/The Christ Candle

However, if you’re like my wife and the colors of the candles don't quite fit your design aesthetic, feel free to use all white candles or red and white candles…it really is the idea over the detail that matters (that's what fourteen years of marriage teaches you).

On the first Sunday of Advent (four Sundays before Christmas), in a brief and simple family worship time the family lights the first candle. On each succeeding Sunday, the candles are lit, one by one, continuing the same type of worship in which the family participates.

Each week we will share two options, a devotion targeted to younger children and an older kids/adult devotion. The devotion for young kids is very brief, and I would encourage families to use it even with very young children (babies even) who may not understand a thing. Consider how we throw birthday parties for one year olds who do not have much understanding, yet at some level, the message is there that they belong. 

It is up to us to define what Christmas will mean to our family and embrace the messiness of it all. Even though my brothers and I fought through pretty much every Family Advent Night growing up, it has stayed with me and shaped me in indescribable ways. I’m thankful my parents didn’t give up on us, on celebrating the true gift of Christmas with a house full of four rambunctious boys.

I encourage you to take those ten minutes every Sunday night during Advent and as a family, take a breath together and let the spirit of hope, peace, joy and love enter your hearts.

All four weeks of devotionals, along with one for Christmas Eve can be found here.