Welcome to Advent 2021

Focus on the Family · Nov 18, 2021

What is Advent?

Celebrating Advent involves intentional preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ. For Christians, the Advent season reminds us not only of Jesus’ birth, but of His eternal presence and eventual second coming.

When Does Advent 2021 Start?

In most Christian communities, Advent starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. In 2021, Advent begins on Sunday, November 28th and concludes on Friday, December 24th.

Advent Season 2021

What Does Advent Mean?

The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word Adventus, which means “coming.” Within the early Christian church, Advent was a season of preparation for the upcoming church season of Epiphany. Over the centuries, the connection between Advent and Christmas became more closely aligned. Eventually, this gave way to the modern Evangelical celebrations of the Advent season.

Advent is meant to be a time of hope, faith, joy, and peace. In Advent, we are reminded that God sent His Son to this world so that we might have a relationship with Him. Yet, Jesus also comes to suffer with us and help us navigate our pain.

During Advent, Christians celebrate and reflect upon Christ’s first coming. While at the same time, the Church looks forward in eager anticipation to Christ’s second coming. When Christians and families celebrate Advent, they unite in a generational tradition of celebration and anticipation of Jesus’ second coming.

What are the 4 Themes of Advent?

The Advent season takes place over four weeks, with each Sunday marking the beginning of a new week of Advent. Each week of Advent contains a special theme. Throughout Christian churches, there are a variety of synonyms for these themes. Here are four of the most common Themes of Advent within Christian churches and families:

Hope
Faith
Joy
Peace

Why is Advent Important?

One day, I called my daughter. She said, “Dad, let’s do things different today. When you come home and go through the door, I’m going to jump, and you’ll catch me!”

She was so excited. As I hung up, I was so excited to go home and experience this moment with her. Sure enough, as I walked through the door, she was in the air, and, fortunately, I caught her. What an incredible moment for me. I loved her anticipation of my arrival as her dad. I loved catching her in my arms as she fully trusted I would catch her.

Have you ever been asked, “Why do Christians celebrate Advent?” My question is, “Why wouldn’t Christians celebrate Advent?”

Advent reveals God’s faithfulness in His promises. The world needs genuine hope as creation longs for Jesus’ return. Advent helps us look beyond our current problems. Instead, we can focus on God’s promises.

Without Advent, we don’t get the opportunity to consider the beginning and end of our invitation on earth and the bigger invitation of being with Jesus forever.

In my private counseling practice, I have noticed a significant increase in social anxiety, panic disorder, and depression. It’s clear that we need Jesus. Through Advent, we can prepare our hearts for Jesus’ eventual return.

Advent is about Anticipation

Our brains are naturally influenced by the overwhelming feelings of anticipation. Especially by anticipation of what we truly believe is going to happen in the future.

For example, when a child receives a gift, they anticipate with excitement the next opportunity they get to receive a gift again. In fact, we love anticipating vacations, weekends, dessert, and many other things. Within the Advent season, we can ask ourselves: What do our soul anticipate?

In Revelation 22:7 we read, “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophesy of this book.”

Indeed, He is faithful and will be returning soon. The fact is that the preparation of our heart is up to us. Then, we can continue to cultivate our faith, patience, preparation, and trust.

Advent provides an opportunity to look forward with anticipation through a filter focused on hope, faith, joy, and peace. Unfortunately, the world is searching for these four themes through things that were not designed to satisfy our souls. Through Advent, we are reassured of His return.

What is an Advent Calendar?

Long ago Christians decided to celebrate the gift of Jesus during a special season called Advent. Advent means coming or arrival. Four weeks before Christmas, people would skip meals and pray, remembering how God sent His Son to save us from our sins.

About 160 years ago, people in Germany used chalk marks on their doors to count the days of Advent. Soon after, people began to light candles or give little presents during the special time. Clocks were even made to count the days.

One mother placed candies onto a numbered board so that her son, Gerhard Lang, could have a treat each day of Advent. When Gerhard grew up, he printed 24 little pictures that could be placed on a calendar for each December day through Christmas Eve.

Shortly after the war, another German man named Richard Sellmer began to make Advent calendars. His first calendar, made in 1946, was called “Little Town.” It was a long piece of cut cardboard that could be unfolded to show a little village with numbered doors and windows.

Advent calendars come in many shapes and sizes. Some look like houses and are made of wood or cardboard. Most are rectangular pieces of cardboard with a Christmas picture on the front. All have numbered doors to open, one each day, from December 1 to Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Behind the doors are pictures, Bible verses, pieces of chocolate, little toys or other surprises. Each gift reminds us of the greatest gift of all—Jesus Christ our Savior.

Advent Calendar Craft

Advent Calendar for Kids

This holiday season, your family can make your own Advent calendar for kids! Follow the instructions and count down the days to celebrate the coming of Jesus.
by Catherine L. Osornio

Instructions

1. Using two sheets of red felt, cut out 25 squares that measure 2-by-2-inches.

2. Cut out 25 pictures from Christmas cards. Pictures should be slightly smaller than felt squares. Find a picture of Baby Jesus for Christmas Day.

3. Glue one picture square along the lower edge of each felt square.

4. Evenly place all 25 squares, blank sides up, on green felt.

5. Using the squares as a guide, draw a small pencil line above the top middle of each square.

6. Cut 25 strips of Velcro, each about 1/2-inch long. Remove the backing from the rough side of Velcro strips and stick them just below each line you drew on the green felt.

7. Remove backing from the fuzzy side of Velcro strips. Fold the strip over the top middle of each square.

8. Attach the squares to the Velcro on the green felt, blank sides up. Save the picture of Baby Jesus for the final square. Use a black marker to write the numbers 1 to 25 on the squares.

9. Attach magnet strips on back of calendar to hang on the refrigerator.

10. Starting December 1, pull up one square each day and turn it over to see the picture. Reattach it to Velcro with the picture facing out.

Advent Guide

Throughout its history, the Advent season uses a variety of wreaths, candles, and prayers as a part of the spiritual preparation for Jesus’ arrival. Learn more about how Advent uses these images and items to help Christians and families prepare for Christmas.

Advent Candles

Within Advent, there are four primary candles with their own unique significance and meaning. One of the four candles is lit on each Sunday during the Advent season. Then in some Christian traditions, there is a final fifth candle usually lit during a Christmas Eve service.

The first candle, which is purple, symbolizes hope. This Advent candle prepares us for Jesus’ arrival. We are reminded that there is hope because Jesus is coming!

The second candle represents faith, and this Advent candle is often referred to as the “Bethlehem Candle.” This purple candle serves as a reminder of Mary and Joseph’s faith as they journeyed to Bethlehem. For our families, this Advent candle reminds us that we can have the same faith in our own lives.

The third candle symbolizes joy. This Advent candle is the only pink candle, and it represents of the joy of the world during the birth of Jesus. For Christians, the third Advent candle reminds us to celebrate Jesus’ arrival.

The fourth candle represents peace. This purple Advent candle reminds our families to focus on the angels’ proclamation of “Peace on Earth!” On the fourth and final week of Advent, this candle emphasizes the importance of Jesus’ arrival.

Finally, the fifth Advent candle is often referred to as the “Christ Candle.” Usually lit on Christmas Eve, the white Advent candle represents purity and the life of Christ.

Advent Wreath

Whether you are at your church or with your family, Advent wreaths are one of the most identifiable symbols during Advent. Alongside Advent candles, the Advent wreath is used to help guide Christians through the season.

Your family can buy a ready-made Advent wreath or make it on your own. One way is to make a paper Advent wreath. Or your family can make a traditional Advent wreath with these steps:

Materials:

Green crafting wire
Plastic leaves or evergreen branches
Four Advent candles
Holly branches

Instructions:

1. With green crafting wire, fasten live or plastic evergreen branches to a wire wreath circle.

2. After you attach the first branch, lay the second branch over the end of the first so it covers the stem.

3. Then, continue in this way until you reach where you began.

4. Tuck the ends of your final branches under the beginning branches. This circle of evergreen branches reminds us of God without beginning and end, and of His faithfulness.

5. Next, set four candles in candleholders inside the wreath. Traditionally, the wreath holds three purple candles and one rose-colored candle.

6. Place the wreath in a central location in your home.

Advent Prayers

Through prayer, we develop and grow our relationship with God. Especially within the Advent season, Christian families can use Advent prayers to celebrate and reflect on Jesus’ arrival.

Here are some ideas for Advent Prayers that you and your family can use to grow your relationship with God.

Advent Prayer of Thankfulness

“Dear Lord,

Thank you for sending your Son to this world so that we could believe in Him. Thank you for providing hope in a hopeless world and providing a path to relationship with You. Help us to love others who do not know you, so that we can share the good news of Jesus’ arrival this Christmas season.

Amen.”

Advent Prayer of Hope

“Dear God,

Help us to be ready for when Jesus returns. Thank you for saving us from our sin. We confess that we do not always have hope. Prepare our hearts to be filled with joy and hope for when Jesus returns!

Amen.”

Advent Prayer for the Holidays

“Dear Lord,

Help our holiday season to be focused on You and Your love. Please guide our interactions with family and friends to be filled with joy and service. Help us focus on You and the gift of your Son, Jesus, during the holidays.

Amen.”