Getting the Most Out of "Advent at Home"
What is Advent?
Advent simply means “arrival” or “coming.” In the Christian tradition, Advent is the four week period leading up to Christmas, which is set aside to remember Jesus’ first coming and to look ahead to his return.
While the incarnational advent of the second person of the Trinity is certainly cause for celebration, the season of Advent is also intended to be a time of deep longing, waiting, and even sorrow.
Fleming Rutledge gives reason for this posture in her article, “Advent Begins Where Human Potential Ends.” She says, “The Advent season, properly understood, is designed to help us understand… life in the real world, where there are malignant forces actively working against human well-being and the divine purposes of God.”
Despite this somber understanding of Advent, Rutledge nevertheless points us to a reality we ought not be quick to forget: we live in a deeply broken world, but God is with us and is faithful to keep his promises.
Therefore, as we journey through this season of Advent, we should do so with both sorrow that this world is not as it should be, but also with hope in the Son of God who became human, so that we could know God and be reconciled to him.
Why an Advent Wreath?
The Advent Wreath is intended to be a beautiful, visual symbol that Jesus has come and is coming again. The four outer candles correspond with the four weeks leading up to Christmas; while the center candle represents Christmas Day.
Some Christian traditions link each candle to hope, peace, joy and love. However, we simply think of each candle as a symbol that Jesus is the light of hope and life who came into the world and is coming again.
What is “Advent at Home?”
Advent at Home consists of five short devotions for you to do at home by yourself or with your family. Each devotion will be available on the Sunday of each week leading up to Christmas, with the final devotion available on Christmas Day.
These devotions consist of five parts: light, read, reflect, pray, and listen. You will start by lighting the candle(s) corresponding to each week of Advent. Then there will be a passage of Scripture to read, followed by a short reflection and question(s) to consider. After which there will be a prayer, and a few songs linked to Spotify that you can listen to or sing along with.
Lastly, these devotions are written with families in mind. In particular, they are written so you could go through each Advent at Home devotion at the dinner table, in the living room, or simply huddled around your wreath.
When does “Advent at Home” begin?
Advent at Home begins on Sunday, December 1 and ends on Christmas Day. You can click HERE to find the devotions that will be posted each week.
Thank you for participating in “Advent at Home!” Our prayer is that these devotions help lead you through the Advent season, and allow you to remember the hope we have in Jesus despite the pain and brokenness in our world.
