Advent Remembering the Long-Hoped-for Messiah Week One: Hope
Today, I begin the four-week journey of Advent. I’m glad you have chosen to join me …
Even though we’re still recovering from Thanksgiving, today is the first Monday of the season of Advent. Yesterday, Sunday, December 1st, according to the Liturgical calendar was New Year’s Day.
The purpose of the Liturgical calendar is to celebrate the mystery of Jesus Christ’s coming to earth as a newborn child and to live fully human—as well as fully God—for 33 years. Each liturgical year leads Christians to consider the entire life of Jesus, including the work of redemption accomplished by his death, resurrection, and ascension, as well as Christ’s return one day to establish a forever kingdom.
Celebrating Advent in an intentional manner adds a deeper dimension to my faith and a greater appreciation for Immanuel, the God who came to be with us!
Traditions of celebrating Advent include the Advent Wreath. This is a photo of the first one I put together several years ago using a fresh evergreen wreath. It is simply decorated with pinecones, baby’s-breath, red berries, and ceramic pieces of the holy family I borrowed from one of our Nativity sets. According to the Advent tradition, which is celebrated in many churches and homes, a new candle is lit, joining the previous week’s candles. On Christmas Eve, the tall candle, which signifies Jesus, is lit. There are variations of the order in which each week of Advent is symbolized. The one I use will be HOPE, PEACE, JOY & LOVE.
Week One, symbolizes HOPE:
The first week of Advent reminds us of the long-hoped-for Messiah, the arrival of Immanuel, through the mystery of the Incarnation. Concerning the Incarnation, Swiss theologian Karl Barth (1886-1968) said,
The nativity mystery “conceived from the Holy Spirit and born from the Virgin Mary,” means, that God became human, truly human out of his own grace ….”
On this first Monday of Advent, my prayer is:
May the God of HOPE fill each of us with all joy, peace and love as we trust in him, so that we may overflow with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit.
(from Romans 15:13)
Blessings on your journey through Advent 2024,
