Advent Wreath Alternatives
by Ted Bradshaw, CCCC minister now retired
Advent celebrations over the centuries have engendered a number of different Advent traditions. Some churches and denominations have developed particular tradition. They have become meaningful enough to be practiced year after year. Churches celebrate in differing styles, which for them becomes the “way it is done.” Because of the wide variety of traditions the following suggestions do not capture them all.
The concept of Advent is to prepare our hearts for the celebration of Jesus’ initial Coming as our Lord Christ. A subtext is the preparation of our hearts for His Second Coming. This can be done both in our Worship Service in the church or by individual families as they worship at home.
Perhaps the most ubiquitous celebration is the lighting of the candles on an Advent Wreath. On each of the four Sundays preceding Christmas one candle signifies some part of a tradition. The first Sunday one candle is lit. The second Sunday two are lit, three the next and four the last. Some traditions have the four candles the same color. Other traditions have the first three purple and the fourth pink. The first three signify royalty and the pink signifies the passion of the birth. In addition, at the Christmas Eve worship, a white Christ Candle is lit, signifying the purity of the Savior.
With the lighting of each new candle many churches have a tradition of reading a passage of Scripture appropriate to the theme. Some churches make a statement and the congregation sings an appropriate hymn. Children are often incorporated, giving them the fun of lighting the candles and reading for the church.
In the interest of broadening our perspective here are three different alternative traditions.
✰ Theme 1: Annunciation
First Sunday: Prophecy Candle — focusing on waiting for the fulfillment of the prophesies of the coming Messiah; Scripture: Isaiah 11:1–10; Hymn: “O Come, O Come, Emanuel.”
Second Sunday: Bethlehem Candle — focusing on the preparations for the coming of the Christ Child; Scripture: Luke 2:1–7; Hymn: “O Little Town of Bethlehem.”
Third Sunday: Shepherds Candle — focusing on the annunciation to the Shepherds and the world of the coming of the Christ Child; Scripture: Luke 2:8–12; Hymn: “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks.”
Fourth Sunday: Angels Candle — focusing on the joy the Angels expressed at the advent of the Christ Child, the Savior for mankind; Scripture: Luke 2:13–14; Hymn: “Angels we have heard on High.”
✰ Theme 2: People
First Sunday: John the Baptist — focusing on the early ministry of the “Voice Crying in the Wilderness”; Scripture: Matthew 3:1–12; Hymn: “Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus.”
Second Sunday: Shepherds — focusing on the wonder of the shepherds at the angelic annunciation of the Messiah; Luke 2:8–20; Hymn: “How Great our Joy.”
Third Sunday: Wise Men — focusing on the adoration of the Magi; Scripture: Matthew 2:1–12; Hymn: “We Three Kings.”
Fourth Sunday: Mary — focusing on the virgin chosen by God to bear the God/man, Jesus; Scripture: Luke 1:26–38; 46–55 Hymn: “What Child is This?”
✰ Theme 3: Characteristics of the Faithful
First Sunday: Hope — the expectation that God is doing something great that we cannot yet see; Scripture: Romans 5:1–11; Hymn: “As with Gladness, Men of Old.”
Second Sunday: Peace — the expectation that the Prince of Peace will bring peace to our souls; Scripture: Isaiah 9:1–7; Hymn: “Silent Night, Holy Night.”
Third Sunday: Joy — the expectation that joy unspeakable and full of glory will be ours; Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1–12; “Joy to the World.”
Fourth Sunday: Love — the expectation that our love for God will be met with an outpouring of His compassionate overflow of love; Scripture: John 15:5–15; Hymn: “I Stand Amazed.”
These are not definitive. There are numerous possible alternative definitions, Scriptures and hymns that promote each theme and Advent week designation. It is helpful to our embracing the reality of God’s love and sacrifice to give the congregation this special celebration within the celebration of worship. You can even make up your own Christ-honoring tradition.
The point of the celebration of Advent is to highlight our anticipation of the celebration of our Savior’s birth and to lead us into serious expectation of our Lord’s return in glory.
