First Advent Sunday

 

    There are four advent Sundays in December and all have their own meaning.  Each week a candle is lit.  There are normally three or four purple or red candles and one white.  The first advent Sunday is the opening of the Christmas Season for Christians.  It opens with anticipation and preparation for celebrating Christ's birth.  Many churches will decorate the sanctuary while getting a message at the same time on hope.  

    It opens up with the first of four candles being lit.  The mind set is to get prepared with expectation, reflection, and remembering hope of what Christmas brings.  The day was chosen to remind the world that Jesus was born and presented to the world to bring good unto everyone.

    The church normally hang evergreens to represent peace, joy, and victory.  It indicates that Christ has entered the home.  Holly represents a drop of Jesus' blood as you bring Christmas into the home.  While the Christmas tree is lit.  The beauty it presents reminds us of the tree of Life.  It has become a central ornament of Christmas.  Poinsettias represent the flaming star.  It was introduced to the American culture in 1828.  It is the flower of the Holy Night to symbolize the star of Bethlehem.  

    The last piece of decoration is the nativity scene which is not at all accurate to the story, but a very nice reminder all the same.  It speaks of the mystery of God's Wisdom revealed in Jesus' birth.  It represents God reaching out to all people as Jesus comes to people at their level.  

    Christmas gifts are gifts that we give to people and charity work we do to honor Jesus' birth.  It is about Him and not so much about the people that we give to.  We give out of love not material things.  God gave the world His greatest treasure.  We can give back something to express our gratitude of Jesus being our gift from God.  He is the whole point of the holiday season and Christmas tradition.

    The point is that Jesus became the light of the world when he was born.  He leads us out of darkness if we let him.  He releases us from our slavery and saves us from our oppressor.  Jesus is Christ, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and prince of peace that brought hope into this dark world.  He is the promise that God gave to the world.  He is the salvation to all who believe and the terror of all who reject.

Psalm 122, Isaiah 9:2-6, Jeremiah 33:14-16, Luke 21:25-28, 34-36, & 1 Corinthians 3:5-9