The word advent has its origin in "adventus," Latin for arrival, particularly of something of great importance.
To prepare for the celebration of the birth of the Lord, Jesus Christ, Christians observe Advent, a period of prayer, fasting, repentance, anticipation, hope, and joy. The season of Advent begins on the fourth Sunday prior to Christmas Day or the Sunday which falls closest to November 30 and continues through Christmas Eve, December 24.
Christians celebrate Advent by thanking God for Christ's first coming to Earth as an infant, for his presence among us today through the Holy Spirit, and in anticipation of his second and final coming at the end of time.
Each Sunday during the four weeks of Advent, one of four families pre-invited by the pastor participates in a candle-lighting ceremony at each of the three worship services. On the first Sunday of Advent, the chosen family reads Scripture, offers a prayer, and lights the first of five candles. On subsequent Sundays, other families read more passages of Scripture, offer other prayers, then relight the previously lit candles plus one new one.
The colors of the candles are symbolic. The first candle is purple, which symbolizes repentance, fasting, royalty, anticipation, and reception of the coming King. The second candle is deep pink to represent joy or rejoicing, shifting the season away from repentance and toward celebration. The third candle is pale pink to symbolize the beginning of hope. The fourth candle is again purple to symbolize peace and as-yet unrealized hope.
A fifth candle, positioned in the center of the tray, is lit on Christmas Eve. Named the Christ candle, this candle is white, representing the pure, sinless, and spotless nature of the Savior, and symbolizing that those who receive Christ as Savior are washed of their sins and made whiter than snow.
| ADVENT | begins the fourth Sunday prior to Christmas Day and ends on Christmas Eve |
|---|---|
| PURPOSE | a period of time to repent, anticipate, and rejoice the birth of Christ and the hope of his second and final return |
| OUR CEREMONY | lay candle-lighting during the Sunday worship services for four weeks prior to Christmas and again on Christmas Eve |
| LOCATION | sanctuary 975 C Avenue, Coronado, CA Download a Campus Map |