Season of Advent
This Sunday we are entering the Season of Advent. ‘Advent’ comes from the Latin word meaning ‘coming’ or ‘arrival’. This is the time when all Christians look forward to the birth of Jesus in that manger in Bethlehem. In the early days of the Church, Advent was a time of prayer and confession. Today, Advent is more a time of preparation and expectation for the coming of the Lord.
Like many things in our world, there are symbols which represent something much bigger: the Stars and Stripes represent the United States, fireworks for the Fourth of July, turkey for Thanksgiving, and Santa Claus for the secular aspect of Christmas.
The Advent wreath is the symbol of Advent. This circle of greenery reminds us that God is eternal. In Revelation 1:8, God says: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” The endless circle also reminds us of the hope we have in God, of newness, renewal, and eternal life.
The candles symbolize the light of God entering the world through the birth of Jesus. The light from the candles reminds us that Jesus is the ‘light of the world’ that comes into our darkness. They also remind us that the prophet Isaiah called us to be the light to the world (Isaiah 42:6) as we reflect the light of God's love and grace to others. The Advent wreath usually sits where everyone can see it and is a constant reminder of this holy season.
The first purple candle is the Candle of Hope, reminding us of the coming of the Messiah. And we can have hope because God is faithful and will keep the promises made to us. The second purple candle is the Candle of Love. God kept His promise of a Savior who would be born in Bethlehem. It reminds us of our need to prepare our souls for His coming. On the third Sunday, the pink candle called the Candle of Joy is lit. This candle is sometimes known as the Mary Candle, reminding us of the Virgin Mary, remembering that she was soon to bear the Son of God in a lowly stable. Finally, on the fourth Sunday of Advent, just a few days before the birth of Christ, the final purple candle, the Candle of Peace, is lit. This candle reminds us God sent His only Son to earth to save us, because He loves us!
In preparing for the Advent season, I came across “Advent Credo,” written by Father Daniel Berrigan:
It is not true that creation and the human family are doomed to destruction and loss—
This is true: For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life;
It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination, hunger and poverty, death and destruction—
This is true: I have come that they may have life, and that abundantly.
It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last word, and that war and destruction rule forever—
This is true: Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, his name shall be called wonderful councilor, mighty God, the Everlasting, the Prince of peace.
It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil who seek to rule the world—
This is true: To me is given authority in heaven and on earth, and lo I am with you, even until the end of the world.
It is not true that we have to wait for those who are specially gifted, who are the prophets of the Church before we can be peacemakers— This is true: I will pour out my spirit on all flesh and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions and your old men shall have dreams.
It is not true that our hopes for liberation of humankind, of justice, of human dignity, of peace are not meant for this earth and for this history— This is true: The hour comes, and it is now, that the true worshipers shall worship God in spirit and in truth.
So, let us enter Advent in hope, even hope against hope. Let us see visions of love and peace and justice. Let us affirm with humility, with joy, with faith, with courage: Jesus Christ—the life of the world.
Let us fill these days of Advent with Hope, with Love, with Joy, and with Peace as we await the coming of Jesus Christ.
Deacon Ed Herrera