| Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and you might be expecting guests from near and far. It's so fun to anticipate the arrival of out-of-town friends and family. The people you don't get to see very often. I love preparing my house for guests, creating a list of fun things to do, and counting down the days until they're at my doorstep. And the visits always seem too short.
But I have hope. I know they will come back!
Now we all know what happens after Thanksgiving—CHRISTMAS, the birth of Jesus. The month of December calls for great celebration and anticipation. Advent, the coming, is a four-week period of expectation of the promised Savior and King.
The nation of Israel waited a long time for their King to arrive. The prophets prepared the hearts of the people, and the people watched and waited for their King with great hope—for generations. But when He arrived, it was not as they expected. He arrived in a stable, a lowly place for the birth of a King. He walked the earth for 33 years speaking of the Father, the work of the Father, and the sacrifice to come. A sacrifice that would bring life. And then as prophesized He was crucified, died, buried, rose again, and ascended into heaven.
But I have hope! I know He will come back!
Advent is a time marked to remember and celebrate the first coming of Christ, His birth, and to prepare our hearts for His second coming. Many have celebrated this season of anticipation with a time-honored tradition of lighting the candles of an advent wreath.
Customarily an advent wreath is made of evergreen and holds four candles, three purple, and one pink. Each candle represents a unique focus—hope, faith, joy, and peace. The candle is lit at the beginning of the week as a reminder of who is coming—Jesus. As the weeks progress, the wreath shines brighter as another lit candle is added. By Christmas, the wreath is fully lit. This growing light brings hope of the One who came and will come back.
Note: Some add a white candle in the middle to represent Christ. This serves as the final candle and is lit on Christmas day.
You can celebrate advent with or without a wreath. Let's celebrate advent together. I will pop into your inbox each Sunday, writing about the current week's theme. Four weeks, four themes, and then its…CHRISTMAS!
I pray that each one of us stays mindful of this advent of the past and the future—His birth and His return.
Great news of which to be thankful.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Candace
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copyright 2021 DaySpring® Cards. All rights reserved.
copyright 2021 DaySpring® Cards. All rights reserved.