Advent, Celebrating the Coming of Christ

Written by Harold D. Dinsmore

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Advent has historically tied the First Advent (the coming of Christ in the manger at Bethlehem) to the Second Advent (the snatching away of the redeemed as seen in 1 Thess. 4:13-18 and the coming of Christ to the earth in Rev. 1:7, 19:11-16).

For some, the Advent season presents many frustrations. I would guess that most pastors have difficulty keeping the season of Advent services fresh each year, while others have never taken the opportunity to celebrate Advent in their churches.

If you and your church do not celebrate Advent, why not?

Advent means coming. Our Lord Jesus coming to earth was a history-changing, life-changing event. Had He not come on that night long ago as a babe in the manger, we would not have had the man Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. The reality of Advent never changes.

Advent Should Never be Mundane

The coming of our Savior and Lord is too crucial to ever become mundane. However, the way we approach the Advent season (Christmas season) and the way we present the realities of the First Advent can mean the difference between someone coming to know the Christ of Christmas or not.

One could easily write sermons connecting these two comings of Christ together and celebrate them both. The First Advent of Jesus Christ set up the hope of believers in the promised Second Advent. So don't neglect this dynamic of the season. Be bold and proclaim the Second Coming as loudly as the First Coming.

“So what do I need to know,” you may ask, “to begin the celebration of Advent at our church?” Here are some elements to assist you and your congregation in celebrating the coming of our Lord.

1. The Advent Wreath

Choosing an Advent wreath is helpful and beautifully symbolic of the season. A basic Advent wreath consists of a circle with four candle holders with one candle in the middle. It may be garnished with holly or pine boughs. There are two types of Advent wreaths. One is a tabletop model and the other is a freestanding model.

2. The Candles

The lighting of the Advent candles can become an important portion of the worship experience. We have used different members of the congregation each year to light the candles. Thus, they become active participants in the worship event. Each candle is rich in symbolism.

Three of the candles in the circle are purple. Historically, this color has symbolized penance. But when Baptists celebrate Advent we can modify any of the symbols to meet the needs of our own church. Purple also suggests royalty.
One candle in the circle is pink or rose. This usually is symbolic of the Rose of Sharon; Jesus Christ being the One who took upon Himself the penalty for our sins.
The center candle is white. It is called the Christ candle.

3. Lighting of the Advent Candles

Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas Day. Candles are lighted on each of the four Sundays during Advent. The first Sunday light the first candle, the second Sunday, light the first candle and a second one. The third Sunday, light the first two candles and add the third candle. On the fourth Sunday, light the first three candles, then light the rose candle. You may choose to light only one candle each Sunday. On Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or the Sunday following Christmas all the candles, plus the white candle are lit. It will depend on whether you have a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day Service.

4. Involve Lay People in Worship

Once the basic order of Advent is known, the pastor or worship committee must determine who lights the candles. One suggestion is to use the singles, new members, young married adults, medium adults, seniors, families, or any other group of your choosing. In this way you will never exhaust the possibilities of people to be involved in the worship experience.

After a person or family lights the candle, have them read a Messianic passage relating to the pastor's sermon for that day, or it could actually be his selected text.

5. Use An Advent Litany

Along with the lighting of the candles, highlight the event by some special action such as an Advent litany. These responsive readings may be tailor-made for the selected theme for each Sunday of Advent. By searching periodicals and books you can find a host of ready-made litanies and adapt them for use, or you may simply write personalized litanies each year. (The Baptist Hymnal, 1991 no. 678.)

6. An Educational Experience

Above all else be sure to educate yourself and your congregation concerning the meaning of Advent. Spend time reading about it. Understand the history of it so you can introduce your church to a new tradition or bring fresh insight to the celebration of the season.

7. A Thematic Aproach

I mentioned earlier the themes that can be used during Advent. We have already learned that there are four Sundays before Christmas which are part of the Advent tradition. Thus, you may choose a particular theme for each of the four Sundays.

This thematic approach can assist you in planning the entire worship service. It will help you in your sermon preparation as you structure your sermons around those particular themes. In the past, I have taken the theme for those days that have been chosen in advance and written sermons with the theme title.

Dare to do anything that provides variety but is in keeping with the biblical text. Here are some examples. Perhaps these will be helpful in suggesting others. Each of these sets represent one Advent season. Most of the sets have only four individual Sunday themes. Each of the words or phrases that are listed is the theme for that particular Sunday.

Examples of Themes

Set #1—Coming to Execute Justice, Coming to Forgive Sins, Coming to Renew Love, Coming to Feed the Hungry
Set #2—The Bethlehem Candle, The Shepherd Candle, The Magi Candle, The Salvation Candle
Set #3—Watch, Prepare, Witness, Rejoice
Set #4—The Prophecy Candle, The Bethlehem Candle, The Shepherd Candle, The Angel Candle
Set #5—The Light of Hope, The Light of Comfort, The Light of Peace, The Light of Joy
Set #6—Always Watch, Always Prepare, Always Proclaim, Always Rejoice, Always Glorify (The fifth theme is for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or the Sunday following Christmas).

Adapted from a previously published article. Used by permission.

Pastor Harold D. Dinsmore, MDiv, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, served the Northland Baptist Church in Kansas City as pastor for 15 years. He is currently the pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Kansas City and is a North American Mission Board endorsed Hospice Chaplain. He and his wife Anita have been married for 27 years and have two grown sons, Joshua and Thomas.

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