Advent is one of my favorite seasons of the year. The sanctuary is decorated; typically the pews are a little more full as worshippers crowd into the services leading up to Christmas; and the music is always festive. Advent is a time for us to prepare our hearts and minds as we think about God's love and grace. It is a season of hope as the church recalls the promises of God that are fulfilled in Christ. During the four weeks in December leading up to Christmas, for most people, worship takes on a very special meaning.
The Word Became Flesh is our Advent theme this year. The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival" and is used to remind us of the period of time before Christmas when we anticipate the coming or arrival of God's Son, Jesus Christ. The phrase the Word describes Jesus as the living Word (Truth) whose message redeems all who accept Him as Savior. Flesh means not only our human skin but also our frailties and mortality--qualities Jesus came to overcome in offering us eternal life with Him.
First Baptist Nashville celebrates Advent by lighting four candles in an Advent Wreath on the four Sundays before Christmas. The evergreen making up the wreath reminds us of the undying promises of God. The four candles help us think about waiting in expectant anticipation for God's gift of peace, hope, love, and joy, all of which find their complete revelation in Jesus Christ.
One new candle is lit each week as the season of Advent progresses. The imagery is significant. Candles burn slowly. The candle that is lit the first week will be shorter as the fourth week arrives. The uneven look of the candles in the wreath creates a slight visual tension for worshippers. Waiting or anticipating something usually does. Yet there is something warm and alive in the glow of a candle's fire. The tension of the "not yet" finds its comfort in the promise of what God has promised. For this reason, Scripture readings associated with the lighting of Advent candles are usually selected from passages that remind the listener of the promises of God.
In the center of the Advent Wreath is a white candle. It is often larger and taller than the other candles in the wreath. This is the Christ candle. White signifies the purity of the spotless Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. This candle is lit on Christmas Eve, marking the end of Advent and the beginning of Christmas.
We celebrate Advent because it helps us prepare for Christmas as a congregation. We attempt to use a variety of church members as candle lighters each Sunday, representing the diverse make-up of our congregation. The slow procession down the aisle is a subtle reminder to the congregation that in this busy, over-commercialized season usurped by the world, we are intentionally slowing the pace to remember, to prepare for, and to anticipate God's loving presence among us.
Advent is a season to reconcile. It is a time for renewing commitments. Advent is a time to realign our hearts and minds to the spiritual things that we may have neglected in the midst of living busy lives. This year in particular, Advent is a time for each of us to renew our faith in the God whose words spoke our world into existence--and whose mercy and grace overlooked our unworthiness.
The Family Enrichment Committee helps us do these things by preparing the Advent Devotional Guide each year. Members of First Baptist Nashville share their insights and reflect on assigned Scripture texts to help our members and friends prepare for Sunday worship during Advent.
To take advantage of this wonderful opportunity, set aside a time each day when you can read the devotional and reflect on this year's Advent theme. Consider keeping a journal to record the thoughts and insights that come to mind as you spend a few minutes in quiet reflection. This year's sermons will encourage us to prepare for Advent by recognizing that in Christ, the Word Became Comfort; the Word Became Peace; the Word Became Grace; and the Word Became Flesh. This Advent Guide serves as a testimony of God's greatest Gift--the Word who became flesh and dwells among us.
May God richly bless you this Advent!
Your Pastor,
Frank R. Lewis
