What is Advent?

Advent begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas.

Advent means coming. We focus on the coming of the birth of Jesus.

The church celebrates Advent as a time to love God with all your heart, and to love your neighbor as yourself.

We use five candles to represent Advent - Hope, Love, Joy, Peace, and Baby Jesus.

The colors of the Advent candles are purple. Some churches may use blue candles in place of the purple. Pink is a color used for the candle JOY.

The wreath is round and reminds us that Gods love is like a circle that has no end. It goes on and on forever and ever.

The green needles of the evergreeen remind us that God is forever. The needles point upward to heaven. Heaven is a place prepared for all those who have confessed their sins and believe in Jesus as the Son of God.

Each week we learn something about the Shepherds, Wisemen, the Angels, or Baby Jesus.

Advent is a time that we long to be more like Jesus. It is a time to allow him to make us more into His image.

The Season of Advent reminds us of the Hope we have in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior.

The Season of Advent reminds us of the love of our Heavenly Father in sending Jesus to die for the sins of the world.

The Season of Advent reminds us of the joy that we have in knowing Jesus and allowing him to help us every day.

Advent is a time to express love to others as Jesus did for us. It is a time to give to others as He has given to us.

Small Group Discussion

1. What is advent? 2. Why do we celebrate Advent? 3. What does the wreath remind us of? 4. What colors are the advent candles? 5. What special words do the Advent candles represent? Jeanne McIntosh 2013 All rights reserved.