The church season of Advent is a time to look forward to the birth of Jesus, our Savior. Traditionally, the church has focused on the four themes of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Let’s consider each theme’s meaning for you this year.
You are probably busy buying gifts, planning celebrations, and baking cookies in December. If you have children, they are probably eagerly anticipating the gifts they’ll receive this year.
While these are important moments, the time before Christmas is when Christians worldwide take time to honor why there is a Christmas season. Advent is a time to reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice for me and everyone.
How can you experience more hope, peace, joy, and love this year? Let’s find out together.
The Scriptural Foundations of Advent
Advent is the season of the church year that begins after Thanksgiving and lasts until Christmas Day. On the calendar, It is December 1 – December 24 (Christmas Eve).
Advent lasts four weeks and technically continues past Christmas on December 25, when we celebrate Jesus’ birth and Epiphany (the wise men’s visit) on January 6.
“Advent” is derived from the Latin word for “coming”. We reflect on Jesus’ coming at Christmas and prepare for when Jesus comes again on the Last Day.
According to the Bible Project, it’s a time to reflect on Jesus’ humble birth and anticipate when he will come again.
Luke 2 describes the events leading up to Jesus’ birth. While the term “Advent” isn’t in the Bible, it makes sense that the church has traditionally focused on Jesus’ birth during this time of year.
Keep reading for the four themes and how you can experience them.
The Four Themes of Advent (Plus Important Meanings)
Theme 1: Hope
“Hope” is expectant anticipation. Biblical hope differs from how we use the word in today’s culture.
When we use the word “hope,” often it means a wish.
- I hope it doesn’t rain on Saturday when the picnic is planned.
- I hope my favorite team wins the Super Bowl.
- I hope I get a raise at work this year.
These are wishes.
Christian hope is different because we trust the God of the universe. God never changes, He is trustworthy, and what He says always comes true.
In the Bible, there are many stories of people looking for hope. Abraham and Sarah hoped for a baby. Abraham was 100 years old before God gave him the son he hoped for (Sarah was 99!). You can (Read about their hope in Genesis 18 and the birth in Genesis 21.)
There’s no better place to look for hope than in the birth and life of Jesus Christ.
Theme 2: Peace
We all want to experience peace and not strife or upset in our lives but how do we get it? When we become a new creation in Jesus, we are asking for peace.
In Philippians 4:7, we are told, “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Theme 3: Joy
When we hear the word “joy,” we often think of being happy and the two words do go together.
However, true joy which is a choice, is found only in our relationship with Jesus and not in our circumstances, which tend to change and so will our emotions.
True joy is based on a “who” and not a “what” if it makes it easier to understand how it works.
We know in the Apostle Paul’s life that he endured beatings and imprisonments for his preaching about Jesus. We would think he wouldn’t have joy or happiness, but we would be wrong.
For Paul said, “Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.” (Philippians 3:1)
We are to choose joy in whatever may come our way. Advent causes us to pause and reflect on our lives and what we look forward to— hope and peace.
Theme 4: Love
We all have heard the word “love” thrown around, whether in our personal lives (“I love pizza!”) to movies and songs on the radio. It’s based more on emotions than on commitment.
The Bible explains that love isn’t dependent on how we feel (emotions) but on extending ourselves for the well-being of another.
We all have heard this Bible verse: “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16).
Celebrating the Advent Season
Advent can simply be defined as an expectation and preparation, as the Church prepares for the coming of Jesus. A broader definition can be found here.
Advent Wreath
What is the meaning of 1st 2nd 3rd and 4th Sunday of Advent? Each of the 4 Sundays during Advent has a special candle with a special meaning.
- The first Sunday is the blue or purple candle, representing the hope of the birth of the coming Savior.
- The second Sunday is the blue or purple candle, representing the preparation of the coming of our Savior.
- The third Sunday is the pink candle, representing joy as the shepherds were among the first to spread the Good News.
- The fourth Sunday is the blue or purple candle, representing love and the Christians looking, with hope, to the Second Coming of Jesus.
How can you celebrate the advent season with your family? It can be done and without a lot of fuss.
Buy or make your Advent wreath with the appropriate candles. Consider a small devotion or Bible verse to read each morning, every night at the dinner table, or with kids before bed.
Countdown to Christmas
Buy or make your Advent box or wall hanging. Behind each numbered door, place a small piece of candy or toy. The box or wall hanging is counting down the days until Christmas. For ideas or a more detailed look at the wall hanging or box, you’ll find them DIY Advent ideas here.
Pray for Loved Ones (Use Christmas Cards)
As a family, pray for those who send Christmas cards. If you put them where you can see them regularly, you can keep praying for them even after Christmas.
The children might like to send a card or a note telling the family or person they were praying for.
Jesse Tree
As a family, you can make what is known as a Jesse tree, make it out of thin sticks or paper taped to the wall, both in the shape of a small tree.
Each day or night, one of the adults can read or tell the story of a family related to Jesse, from whom Jesus was descended. You can find a more detailed description of the Jesse tree here.
Celebrating the Advent season by looking for hope, peace, joy, and love as you read about the birth of Jesus Christ.
Focus on the same four themes in your daily life and practice each of them as you eagerly await the return of Jesus Christ.
Embracing the Advent Spirit
The Advent season is a wonderful time to develop expectancy in children, about the hope, peace, joy, and love that come when we anticipate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
It is also a great reminder to adults to slow down and embrace the true meaning of Christmas amid Santa Claus, materialism, and greed.
Frequently Asked Questions about Advent Themes
More Advent Resources For You
ADVENT READINGS FOR CANDLE LIGHTING AT CHRISTMAS {WITH FREE PDF PRINTABLE PRAYER & SCRIPTURES}
DIY ADVENT CALENDAR WITH MASON JAR LIDS
THE JESSE TREE: A MEANINGFUL ADVENT TRADITION FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
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