Friday may have kicked off the holiday shopping season, but Sunday marks the beginning of Advent.

For Christians, it is a time of anticipation and penance in preparation for the mystical birth of Christ.

Many people celebrate Advent by assembling a wreath of fresh greens studded with four candles, representing the four Sundays before Christmas. Three purple candles and one pink taper, signifying Gaudete Sunday, are lit each evening in succession as Christmas approaches. A prayer or Bible reading accompanies the lighting.

This ritual can be especially meaningful for children. The lighted candles are a visual reminder that Christ is the light of the world; the more candles that are lit, the closer the time is to celebrate his birthday.

The word advent is derived from the Latin “adventus” which means coming. During Advent, Christians prepare their hearts and homes for the arrival of the Christ child. A calendar fitted with 25 doors, to be opened one at a time, is a familiar way for children to begin the special countdown.

Other ways families and individuals can keep the spirit of Christ alive in the weeks preceding Christmas include assembling a Jesse tree. The ornaments symbolize the prophecies of Jesus' coming found in the Old Testament and their New Testament fulfillments.

Handmade Chrismons, monograms or symbols of Jesus made in white and gold can be hung amidst the glittery balls and tinsel to remind the faithful of God's purity and majesty.

The Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Fayetteville has scheduled a reflective communion service Saturday evenings during Advent starting this weekend. The service starts at 5 p.m. The church invites holiday shoppers who are spiritually hungry to the service where that may find food for the Christmas spirit.

The church is in a shopping center across from the entrance to The Fayette Pavilion on Ga. Highway 85.

Back to News Home Page | Back to the top of the page