What is Advent?

 

Advent means "coming," and during this season, as Christians, we prepare for Jesus' coming.

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When is Advent Observed?

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The four Sundays preceding Christmas (the celebration of the birth of Jesus) is when the Advent Season begins. This year (2024), our Advent Season begins on Sunday, December 1, and culminates on Sunday, December 22. The four candles that are lit (one each Sunday) symbolically represent Hope; Love; Joy; and Peace. The candles that are lit each Sunday are lit in this symbolic order.

There is a fifth candle called the Christ candle that is lit on Christmas day to remind us that Jesus was born to bring light into the world.

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How is an Advent Candle Table Set Up?

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An Advent Candle Table is usually set up with 3 Purple, 1 Pink, and 1 White Candle.

• On the first Sunday of Advent, the 1st Purple Candle is lit

• On the second Sunday of Advent, the 1st Purple Candle, and the 2nd Purple Candle are lit

• On the third Sunday of Advent, the 1st Purple Candle, the 2nd Purple Candle, and the Pink Candle are lit  

• On the fourth and last Sunday of Advent, the 1st Purple Candle, the 2nd Purple Candle, the Pink Candle, and the 3rd Purple Candle are lit

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What do the Colors of the Advent Candles Represent at Union Baptist Church?

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Here at Union Baptist Church, we celebrate the colors of the Advent Candles to represent:

• Light/Love (Matthew 5:14-16 & John 3:16)

• Hope (John 6:33) 

• Peace (Luke 2:14)

• Joy/Glory (Luke 2:10 & John 1:14)

• Life (John 10:10 & John 3:14-16)

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What do the Colors of the Advent Candles Symbolically Represent?

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Symbolically, the three colors of the Advent candles (purple, pink, and white) represent the spiritual preparation of our heart for the coming (i.e. birth) of our Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

• The 3 Purple candles represent Penitence ("the action of feeling or showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong; repentance.") 

• The 1 Pink candle represents Joy

• The 1 White candle (also known as the Christ candle) represents the Light that Jesus brings to the world.

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