Advent comes from the Latin word “Adventus,” which means arrival or coming. It is a time of waiting and expectation for the promised birth of the Messiah.
Christians started observing Advent in Europe during the fourth century. The four Sundays before Christmas are set aside to read scriptures from the Hebrew Prophets of the coming of a promised savior. New Testament events preceding the birth of Christ are read such as the story of Zachariah and Elizabeth and John’s birth; Mary’s Song and the angels who appeared to Joseph and Mary with the news of the one conceived of the Holy Spirit. Advent is also a reminder of the coming glory of Christ’s final victory.
Some of the traditions of Advent are the Hanging of the Greens, the Chrismon Tree, the Advent Wreath and Advent calendars. The Hanging of the Greens is on the First Sunday of Advent where the church is decorated with the Chrismon Tree, wreath, candles and nativity scene.
The Chrismon tree is a recent tradition (1957) started in a Lutheran Church in Danville, Va. The word Chrismon is a combination of Christmas and monogram. The tree is decorated with symbols of the faith made of white and gold colors. All the symbols remind us of the story of salvation and saving work of Christ.
The Advent wreath is an evergreen wreath with four blue or purple candles in the wreath with a white candle, the Christ candle in the center. A reading accompanies each candle lighting. One candle is lit each Sunday and the Christ candle is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. As the days grow closer to Christmas, and another candle is lit, the lights from the candles grow brighter, reminding us a light shines in the darkness.
Nativity scenes are displayed. Tradition is Francis of Asissi displayed the first nativity at a Christmas Eve service. He wanted the people to see and not just hear the Christmas story. In a cave he had brought a manger, hay, an ox and a donkey. Francis spoke of the babe of Bethlehem with a manger as his pulpit. It was a joyous service and Nativities have been part of Advent, Christmas celebrations ever since.
Advent calendars are a way to count down the days till Christmas. Decorated with Christmas themes, they have the dates for Advent through Christmas. They are a way for the whole family to have a devotional time each day leading up to Christmas.
There are a number of favorite Advent hymns, “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus,” “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” “Lo, How A Rose E’er Blooming,” or one of my favorites Rossetti’s, “In the Bleak MidWinter.”
The closing verse is a powerful reminder.
“What can I give him, Poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a wise man, I would do my part; Yet what I can I give him; Give my heart.”
Eric Reece is the faith columnist for The Graham Star. He is the pastor of Robbinsville United Methodist Church. Email him at ereece@wnccumc.net.