Advent is the season that begins the celebration of Jesus' coming to earth. The word "Advent" is derived from the Latin word "adventus" which means "coming". During Advent Christians celebrate the birth of the Messiah Jesus but it is also a time to prepare for the second coming of Christ.
The season of Advent begins four Sundays prior to Christmas day (December 25th). This year the First of Advent was yesterday, November 30th, 2014.
Advent Family Worship Time was always observed by my family when I was a child and these memories are some of my most precious and life changing experiences. On every Sunday during Advent my parents would gather my sister & I around the dining room table; turn off all the lights with only the candle(s) on the Advent wreath flickering away. In that warm candlelit darkness we would read a passage from the Bible, discuss what we just read and then sing some Christmas hymns.
I encourage you to do the same with your family. Below I have included the 2014 Advent Dates with recommended Bible passages as well as Christmas Hymns. If you are not musical then I recommend going to YouTube & finding a version of those Hymns there - sing along with those YouTube videos & ENJOY your Family Worship Time.
The Advent Wreath
The Advent wreath is simply a Christmas wreath with 4 candles (sometimes 5 candles). On the first of Advent - 1 candle is lit; on the second of Advent - 2 candles are lit; on the third of Advent - 3 candles are lit and on the fourth of Advent - 4 candles are lit. Then, on Christmas day the optional fifth candle would be lit (The fifth candle is a larger candle and is in the middle of the wreath).
2014 Advent Dates
- Sunday November 30th, 2014 - First of Advent (Light 1 Candle on the Advent Wreath)
- Sunday December 7th, 2014 - Second of Advent (Light 2 Candles on the Advent Wreath)
- Sunday December 14th, 2014 - Third of Advent (Light 3 Candles on the Advent Wreath)
- Sunday December 21st, 2014 - Fourth of Advent (Light 4 Candles on the Advent Wreath)
- Thursday December 25th, 2014 - Christmas Day (the optional 5th Candle is lit or all 4)
Recommended Scripture Readings:
Luke 1:26-38
Matthew 1:18-25
Luke 2:1-7
Matthew 2:1-12
Luke 2:8-20
Isaiah 9:6
Recommended Christmas Hymns:
* O Little Town of Bethlehem
* Angels We Have Heard on High
* Away in a Manger
* O Come All Ye Faithful
* Angels From the Realms of Glory
* Joy to the World
* O Holy Night
* It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
* The First Noel
* O Come O Come Emmanuel
* We Three Kings of Orient Are
I loved having the advent devotionals with our children but now that they are grown and not at home anymore I still enjoy lighting the candle and doing a more personal advent journey throughout the season.
ReplyDeleteLighting the wreath has been a part of our tradition for many, many years. We actually made the wreath we use at a church event, so it has sentimental value as well. This year, we lit the candle with my daughter's boyfriend present. He comes from a Russian orthodox tradition, so he wasn't familiar with this. iIt was so nice to share...
ReplyDeleteI still need to get my candles. It's nice to see you using green because I wasn't so sure about the purple and pink :) We have been observing advent this year with scripture and daily affirmations. It's been so refreshing!
ReplyDeleteThis is so perfect! Pinned and tweeted. Thank you for being a part of our party. I hope to see you on tonight at 7 pm. It wouldn’t be a party without you!
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday! Lou Lou Girls