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Anticipation and Hope

Dennis Bratcher 

The Colors of Advent  The Spirit of Advent  Evergreens and The Advent Wreath

Celebrating Advent  An Advent Reflection

Advent is the beginning of the Church Year for most churches in the Western tradition. t

 begins on the fourth Sunda! before Christmas Da!" #hich is the Sunda! nearest $ovember

%&" and ends on Christmas Eve 'Dec ()*. f Christmas Eve is a Sunda!" it is counted as thefourth Sunda! of Advent" #ith Christmas Eve proper beginning at sundo#n.

The Colors of Advent

+istoricall!" the primar! sanctuar! color of Advent is Purple. This is the color of penitence

and fasting as #ell as the color of ro!alt! to #elcome the Advent of the ,ing. -urple is

still used in Catholic churches. The purple of Advent is also the color of suffering used

during ent and +ol! Wee/. This points to an important connection bet#een 0esus1 birth

and death. The nativit!" the ncarnation" cannot be separated from the crucifi2ion. The

 purpose of 0esus1 coming into the #orld" of the 3Word made flesh3 and d#elling among us"

is to reveal 4od and +is grace to the #orld through 0esus1 life and teaching" but also

through his suffering" death" and resurrection. To reflect this emphasis" originall! Advent#as a time of penitence and fasting" much as the Season of ent and so shared the color of

ent.

n the four #ee/s of Advent the third Sunda! came to be a time of re5oicing that the fasting

#as almost over 'in some traditions it is called 4audete Sunda!" from the atin #ord for

3re5oice3*. The shift from the purple of the Season to pin/ or rose for the third Sunda!

Advent candles reflected this lessening emphasis on penitence as attention turned more to

celebration of the season.

n recent times" ho#ever" Advent has undergone a shift in emphasis" reflected in a change of

colors used in man! churches. E2cept in the Eastern churches" the penitential aspect of the

Season has been almost totall! replaced b! an emphasis on hope and anticipation.n man! churches the third Sunda! remains the Sunda! of 0o! mar/ed b! pin/ or rose.

+o#ever" most -rotestant churches no# use blue to distinguish the Season of Advent from

ent. Royal Blue is sometimes used as a s!mbol of ro!alt!. Some churches use Bright

Blue to s!mboli6e the night s/!" the anticipation of the impending announcement of the

,ing1s coming" or to s!mboli6e the #aters of 4enesis 7" the beginning of a ne# creation.

Some churches" including some Catholic churches" use blue violet to preserve the

traditional use of purple #hile providing a visual distinction bet#een the purple or red

violet of ent.

This does not eliminate an! sense of penitence from the Season. With the focus on the Advent

or Coming of 0esus" especiall! in anticipating +is Second Advent" there remains a need for

 preparation for that coming. 8ost liturgical churches incorporate confessional pra!ers into

the service that relate to a sense of un#orthiness as #e anticipate +is Coming. t is

appropriate even in more traditional services of #orship to incorporate confessional pra!ers

as part of the anticipation and preparation of the Season.

With the shift to blue for Advent in most non9Catholic churches" there is also a tendenc! to

move pin/ to the :ourth Sunda! of Advent. t still remains associated #ith 0o!" but is

increasingl! used as the clima2 of the Advent Season on the last Sunda! before Christmas.

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Red and 4reen are more secular colors of Christmas. Although the! derive from older

European practices of using evergreens and holl! to s!mboli6e ongoing life and hope that

Christ1s birth brings into a cold #orld" the! are never used as liturgical colors during

Advent since the! have other uses in other parts of the church !ear 'see Colors of the

Church Year *.

The #ord Advent means 3coming3 or 3arrival.3 The focus

of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of0esus the Christ in his :irst Advent" and the

anticipation of the return of Christ the ,ing in his

Second Advent. Thus" Advent is far more than simpl!

mar/ing a ("&&& !ear old event in histor!. t is

celebrating a truth about 4od" the revelation of 4od in

Christ #hereb! all of creation might be reconciled to

4od. That is a process in #hich #e no# participate"

and the consummation of #hich #e anticipate.

Scripture reading for Advent #ill reflect this emphasis on the Second Advent" including

themes of accountabilit! for faithfulness at +is coming" 5udgment on sin" and the hope ofeternal life.

n this double focus on past and future" Advent also s!mboli6es the spiritual 5ourne! of

individuals and a congregation" as the! affirm that Christ has come" that +e is present in

the #orld toda!" and that +e #ill come again in po#er. That ac/no#ledgment provides a

 basis for ,ingdom ethics" for hol! living arising from a profound sense that #e live

3bet#een the times3 and are called to be faithful ste#ards of #hat is entrusted to us as

4od1s people. So" as the church celebrates 4od1s inbrea/ing into histor! in the ncarnation"

and anticipates a future consummation to that histor! for #hich 3all creation is groaning

a#aiting its redemption"3 it also confesses its o#n responsibilit! as a people commissioned

to 3love the ord !our 4od #ith all !our heart3 and to 3love !our neighbor as !ourself.3The Spirit of Advent

Advent is mar/ed b! a spirit of e2pectation" of anticipation" of preparation" of longing. There is

a !earning for deliverance from the evils of the #orld" first e2pressed b! sraelite slaves in

Eg!pt as the! cried out from their bitter oppression. t is the cr! of those #ho have

e2perienced the t!rann! of in5ustice in a #orld under the curse of sin" and !et #ho have

hope of deliverance b! a 4od #ho has heard the cries of oppressed slaves and brought

deliverance;

t is that hope" ho#ever faint at times" and that 4od" ho#ever distant +e sometimes seems"

#hich brings to the #orld the anticipation of a ,ing #ho #ill rule #ith truth and 5ustice and

righteousness over +is people and in +is creation. t is that hope that once anticipated" and

no# anticipates ane#" the reign of an Anointed <ne" a 8essiah" #ho #ill bring peace and

 5ustice and righteousness to the #orld.

-art of the e2pectation also anticipates a 5udgment on sin and a calling of the #orld to

accountabilit! before 4od. We long for 4od to come and set the #orld right; Yet" as the

 prophet Amos #arned" the e2pectation of a coming 5udgment at the 3Da! of the ord3 ma!

not be the da! of light that #e might #ant" because the penetrating light of 4od1s 5udgment

on sin #ill shine 5ust as brightl! on 4od1s people.

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Because of this important truth" especiall! in the Eastern <rthodo2 Churches" the Season of

Advent has been a time of fasting and penitence for sins similar to the Season of ent.

+o#ever" a different emphasis for the season of Advent has graduall! unfolded in much of

the rest of the church. The season of Advent has come to be celebrated more in terms of

e2pectation or anticipation. Yet" the anticipation of the Coming of the 8essiah throughout

the <ld Testament and 0udaism #as not in connection #ith remembrance of sins. Rather" it

#as in the conte2t of oppression and in5ustice" the longing for redemption" not from personal guilt and sin but from the s!stemic evil of the #orld e2pressed in evil empires and

t!rants. t is in that sense that all creation groans for its redemption as #e #itness the evil

that so dominates our #orld 'Rom =>7=9(?*.

<f course" there is the problem of longing for vindication from an evil #orld #hen #e are

contributors to that evil. This is the po#er of the images of Amos #hen he #arns about

longing for the 3Da! of the ord3 that #ill reall! be a da! of dar/ness 'Amos ?>7=9(&*.

Still" even #ith Amos1 #arning the time of Advent is one of e2pectation and anticipation" a

longing for 4od@s actions to restore all things and vindicate the righteous. This is #h!

during Advent #e as Christians also anticipate the Second Coming as a t#in theme of the

season. So" #hile some church traditions focus on penitence during Advent" and thereremains a place for that" the spirit of that e2pectation from the <ld Testament is better

captured #ith a 5o!ous sense of e2pectanc!. Rather than a time of mourning and fasting"

Advent is celebrated as a time of 5o! and happiness as #e a#ait the coming of the ,ing.

'see Can We Sing Christmas Carols During Advent*

There #ill be time enough during the rest of the 5ourne! through the Church Year to remember

our sins. t begins in Epiphan! #hen #e hear about the brotherhood of the ,ingdom" and

reali6e our failure to effect it. Then as #e move to#ard and through ent #e reali6e that the

coming of 0esus served more to la! bare our o#n sin than it did to vindicate our

righteousness. There #ill be time to shed -eter@s bitter tears as #e reali6e that #hat started

#ith such possibilit! and e2pectation has apparentl! ended in such failure.t is onl! as #e e2perience that full c!cle" beginning #ith unbridled 5o! in Advent that slo#l!

fades into the reali6ation of #hat #e have done #ith and to the Christ" that the a#ful realit!

of 4ood :rida! can have its full impact. And in that reali6ation #e can finall! be read! to

hear the 4ood $e#s on Resurrection Sunda!; That is the 5ourne! that the disciples too/.

And so there is value in ta/ing the same 5ourne! beginning #ith the anticipation and 5o! of

Advent;

So" #e celebrate #ith gladness the great promise in the Advent" !et /no#ing that there is also a

somber tone as the theme of threat is added to the theme of promise. This is reflected in

some of the Scripture readings for Advent" in #hich there is a strong prophetic tone of

accountabilit! and 5udgment on sin. But this is also faithful to the role of the Coming ,ing

#ho comes to rule" save" and 5udge the #orld.

Because of the dual themes of threat and promise" Advent is a time of preparation that is

mar/ed b! pra!er. While ent is characteri6ed b! fasting and a spirit of penitence"

Advent1s pra!ers are pra!ers of humble devotion and commitment" pra!ers of submission"

 pra!ers for deliverance" pra!ers from those #al/ing in dar/ness #ho are a#aiting and

anticipating a great light 'sa *;

The spirit of Advent is e2pressed #ell in the parable of the bridesmaids #ho are an2iousl!

a#aiting the coming of the Bridegroom '8att (?>797%*. There is profound 5o! at the

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Bridegroom1s e2pected coming. And !et a #arning of the need for preparation echoes

through the parable. But even then" the pra!er of Advent is still>

Come" < Come" Emmanuel"

And ransom captive srael;

Evergreens and The Advent Wreath

The beginning of Advent is a time for the hanging of the green" decoration of the church #ith

evergreen #reaths" boughs" or trees that help to s!mboli6e the ne# and everlasting life brought through 0esus the Christ. Some churches have a special #ee/da! service" or the

first Sunda! evening of Advent" or even the first Sunda! morning of Advent" in #hich the

church is decorated and the Advent #reath put in place. This service is most often

 primaril! of music" especiall! choir and hand bells" and Scripture reading" along #ith an

e2planation of the various s!mbols as the! are placed in the sanctuar!.

The Advent wreath is an increasingl! popular s!mbol of the beginning of

the Church !ear in man! churches as #ell as homes. t is a circular

evergreen #reath 'real or artificial* #ith five candles" four around the

#reath and one in the center. Since the #reath is s!mbolic and a vehicle

to tell the Christmas stor!" there are various #a!s to understand thes!mbolism. The e2act meaning given to the various aspects of the #reath is not as

important as the stor! to #hich it invites us to listen" and participate.

The circle of the wreath reminds us of 4od +imself" +is eternit! and endless merc!" #hich

has no beginning or end. The green of the wreath spea/s of the hope that #e have in 4od"

the hope of ne#ness" of rene#al" of eternal life. Candles s!mboli6e the light of 4od

coming into the #orld through the birth of +is son. The four outer candles represent the

 period of #aiting during the four Sunda!s of Advent" #hich themselves s!mboli6e the four

centuries of #aiting bet#een the prophet 8alachi and the birth of Christ.

The colors of the candles var! #ith different traditions" but there are usuall! three purple or

 blue candles" corresponding to the sanctuar! colors of Advent" and one pin/ or rose candle.<ne of the purple candles is lighted the first Sunda! of Advent" a Scripture is read" a short

devotional or reading is given" and a pra!er offered. <n subseuent Sunda!s" previous

candles are relighted #ith an additional one lighted. The pin/ candle is usuall! lighted on

the third Sunda! of Advent. +o#ever" different churches or traditions light the pin/ candle

on different Sunda!s depending on the s!mbolism used 'see above on Colors of Advent*.

n Churches that use a Service of the $ativit!" it is often lighted on the fourth Sunda! of

Advent" the final Sunda! before Christmas.

The light of the candles itself becomes an important s!mbol of the season. The light reminds

us that 0esus is the light of the #orld that comes into the dar/ness of our lives to bring

ne#ness" life" and hope. t also reminds us that #e are called to be a light to the #orld as

#e reflect the light of 4od@s grace to others 'sa )(>*. The progression in the lighting of

the candles s!mboli6es the various aspects of our #aiting e2perience. As the candles are

lighted over the four #ee/ period" it also s!mboli6es the dar/ness of fear and hopelessness

receding and the shado#s of sin falling a#a! as more and more light is shed into the #orld.

The flame of each ne# candle reminds the #orshippers that something is happening" and

that more is !et to come. :inall!" the light that has come into the #orld is plainl! visible as

the Christ candle is lighted at Christmas" and #orshippers re5oice over the fact that the

 promise of long ago has been reali6ed.

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The first candle is traditionall! the candle of Expectation or Hope 'or in some traditions"

-rophec!*. This dra#s attention to the anticipation of the coming of a 8essiah that #eaves

its #a! li/e a golden thread through <ld Testament histor!. As 4od1s people #ere abused

 b! po#er hungr! /ings" led astra! b! self9centered prophets" and lulled into apath! b! half9

hearted religious leaders" there arose a longing among some for 4od to raise up a ne# /ing

#ho could sho# them ho# to be 4od1s people. The! !earned for a return of 4od1s

d!namic presence in their midst.And so" 4od revealed to some of the prophets that indeed +e #ould not leave +is people

#ithout a true Shepherd. While the! e2pected a ne# earthl! /ing" their e2pectations fell far

short of 4od1s revelation of +imself in Christ. And !et" the #orld is not !et full!

redeemed. So" #e again #ith e2pectation" #ith hope" a#ait 4od1s ne# #or/ in histor!" the

second Advent" in #hich +e #ill again reveal +imself to the #orld. And #e understand in

a profound sense that the best" the highest of our e2pectations #ill fall far short of #hat our

ord1s Second Advent #ill reveal;

The reaining three candles of Advent ma! be associated #ith different aspects of the

Advent stor! in different churches" or even in different !ears. suall! the! are organi6ed

around characters or themes as a #a! to unfold the stor! and direct attention to thecelebrations and #orship in the season. So" the seuence for the remaining three Sunda!s

might be Bethlehem" Shepherds" Angels. <r -eace" ove" 0o!. <r 0ohn the Baptist" 8ar!"

the 8agi. <r the Annunciation" -roclamation" :ulfillment. Whatever seuence is used" the

Scripture readings" pra!ers" lighting of the candles" the participation of #orshipers in the

service" all are geared to telling the stor! of redemption through 4od1s grace in the

ncarnation.

The third candle" usuall! for the Third Sunda! of Advent" is traditionall! -in/ or Rose" and

s!mboli6es !oy at the soon Advent of the Christ. Sometimes the colors of the sanctuar!

and vestments are also changed to Rose for this Sunda!. +o#ever" as noted above"

increasingl! in man! churches" the pin/ Advent candle is used on the fourth Sunda! tomar/ the 5o! at the impending $ativit! of 0esus.

Whatever seuence is adopted for these Sunda!s" the theme of 0o! can still be the focus for the

 pin/ candle. :or e2ample" #hen using the third Sunda! to commemorate the visit of the

8agi the focus can be on the 0o! of #orshipping the ne# found ,ing. <r the Shepherds as

the s!mbol for the third Sunda! brings to mind the 5o! of the proclamation made to them in

the fields" and the adoration e2pressed as the! /nelt before the Child at the manager. f

used on the fourth Sunda! of Advent" it can s!mboli6e the 0o! in fulfilled hope.

The center candle is #hite and is called the Christ Candle. t is traditionall! lighted on

Christmas Eve or Da!. +o#ever" since man! -rotestant churches do not have services on

those da!s" man! light it on the Sunda! preceding Christmas" #ith all five candles

continuing to be lighted in services through Epiphan! '0an *. The central location of the

Christ Candle reminds us that the incarnation is the heart of the season" giving light to the

#orld.

Cele"rating Advent

Advent is one of the fe# Christian festivals that can be observed in the home as #ell as at

church. n its association #ith Christmas" Advent is a natural time to involve children in

activities at home that directl! connect #ith #orship at church. n the home an Advent

#reath is often placed on the dining table and the candles lighted at meals" #ith Scripture

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readings preceding the lighting of the candles" especiall! on Sunda!. A ne# candle is

lighted each Sunda! during the four #ee/s" and then the same candles are lighted each

meal during the #ee/. n this conte2t" it provides the opportunit! for famil! devotion and

 pra!er together" and helps teach the :aith to children" especiall! if the! are involved in

reading the dail! Scriptures.

t is common in man! homes to tr! to mar/ the beginning of Advent in other #a!s as #ell" for

the same purpose of instruction in the faith. Some families decorate the house for the beginning of Advent" or ba/e special coo/ies or treats" or simpl! begin to use table

coverings for meals. An Advent Calendar is a #a! to /eep children involved in the entire

season. There are a #ide variet! of Advent calendars" but usuall! the! are simpl! a card or

 poster #ith #indo#s that can be opened" one each da! of Advent" to reveal some s!mbol or

 picture associated #ith the <ld Testament stor! leading up to the birth of 0esus. <ne

uniue and speciali6ed Advent calendar that can be used either in the home or the sanctuar!

is a 0esse Tree. 'We have available an online Advent calendar #ith devotionals for each

da! of Advent as #ell as Christmas through Epiphan! Da!>  $a6$et@s Advent and

Christmas Celebration*. All of these provide opportunities to teach children the

significance of this sacred time" and to remind ourselves of it as #ell.n congregational #orship" the Advent #reath is the central teaching s!mbol of the season" the

focal point for dra#ing the congregation into the beginning of the stor! of redemption that

#ill unfold throughout the church !ear. :or this reason" members of the congregation are

often involved in lighting the Advent candles and reading the appropriate Scriptures each

Sunda!. While in some churches it is customar! for this to be done b! families" it can also

 be an especiall! good opportunit! to demonstrate the unit! of the entire communit! of

:aith b! including those #ithout families" such as those never married" divorced" #ido#ed"

elderl! #ho live b! themselves" or college students a#a! from home.

An Advent Reflection

t is trul! a humbling e2perience to read bac/ through the <ld Testament and see ho# frail andimperfect all the 3heroes3 actuall! are. Abraham" the co#ard #ho cannot believe the

 promise. 0acob" the cheat #ho struggles #ith ever!bod!. 0oseph" the immature and arrogant

teen. 8oses" the impatient murderer #ho cannot #ait for 4od. 4ideon" the co#ardl! Baal9

#orshipper. Samson" the #omani6ing drun/. David" the po#er abusing adulterer. Solomon"

the un#ise #ise man. +e6e/iah" the reforming /ing #ho could not uite go far enough.

And finall!" a ver! !oung 0e#ish girl from a small village in a remote corner of a great

empire.

t never ceases to ama6e me #h! 4od could not have chosen 3better3 people to do +is #or/ in

the #orld. Yet if 4od can use them" and reveal +imself through them in such marvelous

#a!s" it means that +e might be able to use me" inadeuate" and un#ise" and too often

lac/ing in faith that am. And it means that need to be careful that do not in m! o#n

self9righteousness put limits on #hat 4od can do #ith the most unli/el! of people in the

most unli/el! of circumstances. thin/ that is part of the #onder of the Advent Season.

9#ennis Bratcher  Cop!right F " Dennis Bratcher All Rights Reserved

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