Who celebrates Advent?

[chrismon]

its all in the title

 

[Mary of Bethany]

I remember that I first started learning about Advent while I was still Baptist. It seems to me that Baptists have started to recognize some bits of Advent, even though they might not call it that. Since secularism/commercialism have become so much more prominent in our culture's idea of Christmas, it seems that even the Evangelicals, etc. recognize the benefits that observing a "preparation time" for Christmas has for Christians.

Agree? Disagree?

Mary

 

[Joykins]

How do you define "celebrating Advent"?

 

[Razorbuck]

Do you mean recognizing Advent as a season or event similar to what the Catholics practice?

 

[arunma]

My church recognizes Advent. As part of our four services before Christmas, a candle is lit every week. Our pastor also writes an Advent poem for each Lord's Day of Advent. Deeper observance of Advent is left to the individual, of course.

 

[chrismon]

What does it mean, "celebrate Advent"? Well..

My church recognizes Advent. As part of our four services before Christmas, a candle is lit every week. Our pastor also writes an Advent poem for each Lord's Day of Advent. Deeper observance of Advent is left to the individual, of course.

Liturgically, yes, something like that. We do something similar in my denomination's tradition. Over all, it is a celebration about the anticipation of the coming of the Lord, which we know is two-fold: celebrating his birth while also looking forward to his return. Traditionally the Church has 5 candles, one for each week of Advent (4 Sundays before Christmas) and the 5th and center is called the "Christ candle". The one in my home has a calligraphic ChiRho on it.

As for its importance, I find that it makes Christmas more than a day, and certainly more than what the dominant culture has made it. Also, I enjoy being connected through time and space to those in the Church who have gone before us. Advent is a very, very old tradition.

 

[Maeyken]

I'm also not sure what you mean by 'celebrate' advent. My church recognizes it with the advent wreath and candles (5), as well we have a special sermon series for those 4 Sundays.

 

[chrismon]

I'd say that is celebration

 

[Joykins]

I'm also not sure what you mean by 'celebrate' advent. My church recognizes it with the advent wreath and candles (5), as well we have a special sermon series for those 4 Sundays.

My church as well. We also get those little candy Advent Calendars for the kids and sing Christmas carols at home. I'd like to do an advent wreath at home again, but I haven't had time to make one yet.

 

[ZiSunka]

If you mean a period of four weeks in which you prepare for the birth of the baby Jesus, then, nope, I don't do that. Baby Jesus is born and all grown up and died and resurrected and he's acoming back soon, so preparing for his birth seems silly.

If you mean a period of celebration of the night when human beings could finally see God face to face, then yep, I guess I do that.

 

[mesue]

My church recognizes Advent. As part of our four services before Christmas, a candle is lit every week. Our pastor also writes an Advent poem for each Lord's Day of Advent. Deeper observance of Advent is left to the individual, of course.

What are the symbolism of the wreath and candles?
What scripture references do you have to back up this observance?
Is this something, we as Bible believing Christians, should be doing? This is why I ask for scripture reference.

 

[Gwenyfur]

But then again, I also participate in Messianic Channukah and Passover as well

 

[Joykins]

What are the symbolism of the wreath and candles?

They're not really symbolic as far as I know; one candle is lit the first Sunday and each following Sunday another candle is lit in addition, and anticipatory scriptures are read and carols sung; it's a sort of countdown to the Lord's birth.

What scripture references do you have to back up this observance?
Is this something, we as Bible believing Christians, should be doing? This is why I ask for scripture reference.

2 gospels, Matthew and Luke, have the story of the nativity. But neither gospel begins with the birth itself; they include genealogies and background stories (the annunciation; the birth of John the Baptist) as part of laying the groundwork and building anticipation for what is to come: the Incarnation.

Advent is a way we can participate in and mirror this anticipation that is shown in the gospels. Not being a Biblically mandated celebration, of course it is not obligatory, but it is hardly inappropriate for a Bible believing Christian.

 

[MrJim]

A different family goes up front of church, reads something, and lights candles. Used to do something at home but it's tough when Scrooge is around

Christmas is over in 11 days WHEE!!!!

 

[P_G]

Not us

I am opposed to wreaths and cut trees to begin with

PG

 

[chrismon]

What are the symbolism of the wreath and candles?
What scripture references do you have to back up this observance?
Is this something, we as Bible believing Christians, should be doing? This is why I ask for scripture reference.

The wreath is of evergreen, which symbolizes eternal things: the love of God, eternal life, etc. that are found in the kingdom of God, instituted at his birth. Candles, or light, always represent revelation and hope - which is Christ. Specifically these candles symbolize hope, love, joy and peace. These are all things that come from the advent of Emmanuel.

As for biblical reference, I wasn't aware that we needed specific commands to celebrate our God. I'd think that Christians would be so full of joy and excitement about the coming of Emmanuel that they'd want to celebrate it as much as possible.

 

[53Isaiah]

Col 2:16 ¶ Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

Ro 14:6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

 

[chrismon]

Col 2:16 ¶ Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

Ro 14:6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

I'm not sure of what you are trying to say since you give no explanation of your intent/meaning and no context.

I understand the context of those passage to be Paul's treatise on proper and improper reasons for division among God's people. And, that the issue you raise by showing those passages I would assume is that Paul says we certainly ought not to judge one another or refrain from loving one another because one celebrates one day and one on another, and one eats this and another will not. But, these things are certainly surmountable when given the capacity in Christ and through Christ to love one another.

Unfortunately, we rarely find the Church believing that.

 

[mesue]

...
As for biblical reference, I wasn't aware that we needed specific commands to celebrate our God. I'd think that Christians would be so full of joy and excitement about the coming of Emmanuel that they'd want to celebrate it as much as possible.

There are plenty of ways to "celebrate our God" as you put it. I guess I was asking because churches participate in this. I didn't realize that there are Baptist churches that celebrate advent. Usually when a church celbrates something, it's biblically based, or that was my impression anyway.
I speak for myself and only myself, when I say that I try to be careful not to follow man's traditions. I wasn't looking for "commands" as you said, just a Book Chapter and verse for a biblical celebration of Advent. You know, like the Lord's Supper. There are Books, Chapters and Verses I can go to celebrate the Lord's Supper. But I haven't found any for Advent, specifically, and was wondering if I missed something.
I speak for myself and only myself, when I say that I am more looking forward to His returning than I look forward to Christmas each year. If I had to pick between Christmas and Resurrection Sunday as to which have more meaning to me, it's Resurrection Sunday, hands down. I love Christmas, I love giving, but on Christmas it's not all about the Lord Jesus Christ anymore. It becomes heart breaking to see Christ "X"ed out of Christmas.

 

[chrismon]

I speak for myself and only myself, when I say that I am more looking forward to His returning than I look forward to Christmas each year.

I don't see much difference in either. However, you sound like someone who would enjoy Advent. In Christianity "advent" has a dual nature as it is a period of waiting. The world waited for its Messiah (and so we celebrate that waiting and his arrival by joining in the anticipation of our forebearers ), and now we await his return. We recall the Announciation, Joseph's faithfulness and the work of the Spirit... all history by the time Jesus arrives

If I had to pick between Christmas and Resurrection Sunday as to which have more meaning to me, it's Resurrection Sunday, hands down. I love Christmas, I love giving, but on Christmas it's not all about the Lord Jesus Christ anymore. It becomes heart breaking to see Christ "X"ed out of Christmas.

And Easter is all about bunnies and candy. Why let the world ruin Christmas, or anything, for you? The vast majority of Christendom is nominal at best, does this mean Jesus is less exciting for you? I should hope not.