Preparing Our Hearts for Advent
Photo image courtesy Pixabay
“And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.”
-- 2 Peter 3:14 (NLT)
Every year, my church beautifully adorns its altar with a lush wreath of fragrant evergreens. The wreath serves as a visual reminder of the approaching Christmas celebrations.
Each Sunday, a candle is lit, casting a warm and flickering glow. The soft crackle of the flame creates a soothing ambiance, inviting us to prepare our hearts for the joyous celebration of the birth of Jesus. This sacred season, known as Advent, envelops the church in a sense of anticipation and spiritual preparedness.
Advent encourages us to live a blameless life, just as Peter instructs us in the above verse. This Advent season provides us a great opportunity to reflect and prepare. To help us, Advent employs four themes to aid us in preparing our hearts for our Savior’s return.
Four Themes of Advent:
The first candle represents hope in Christ. Through it, we remember the fulfilled promises in the Bible. The second candle is about teaching us to live in peace with everyone so we can experience God’s true peace. Next, the third candle reminds us to find joy in all circumstances while we await Christ’s return. And the fourth candle reminds us of God’s love in sending his Son to die for us and calls us to show this same love to others.
As we gaze upon each candle, the sights of flickering flames, the sounds of gentle crackling, the smell of melted wax and sweet incense, and the feeling of a warm, peaceful atmosphere awaken our senses. Witnessing the lighting of each candle draws us into a deeper understanding and appreciation of the profound messages they represent.
Question for Reflection:
What is your favorite part of the Advent season?
