Advent with the Advents

'Tis the Season of Advent and what better place to observe it than at the Advent Christian Church in North Springfield. A special candlelight evening service coming up Christmas Eve.

There will be a Christmas Carol Sing and special music there December 15th at 6pm. Sunday morning services begin at 10:00 a.m. There will be a special evening service on Christmas Eve from 6 to 7. All welcome. The church is located at 11 Church Street.  (Coming from Springfield, Church Street is the first left after the Post Office on Main Street in North Springfield.)

www.facebook.com/AdventChristianChurchOfNorthSpringfieldVt


Advent is a season observed in many Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas as well as the return of Jesus at the second coming. The term is a version of the Latin word meaning "coming". The season of Advent lasts for four Sundays leading up to Christmas.

The Advent Wreath 

The wreath is the widely recognized symbol of Advent. It is made of a circle of evergreen branches laid flat to symbolize eternal life. Four candles  stand in the circle and each one represents one of the four Sundays of Advent. In the centre of the circle is a fifth candle (traditionally white), the Christ Candle, which is lit on Christmas Day.

Why is the Advent Wreath so special to Christians? 

The circle of the wreath reminds Christians of God, His eternity and endless mercy, which has no beginning or end.The green of the wreath speaks of the hope that Christians have in God, the hope of newness, of renewal, of eternal life.

What do the Advent candles stand for?

Candles symbolise the light of God coming into the world through the birth of His son, Jesus.
The four traditional advent themes for the four advent Sundays are:

God's people -The Candle of Hope.
Hope is like a light shining in a dark place. As we look at the light of this candle we celebrate the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

The old testament prophets - The Candle of Peace
Peace is like a light shining in a dark place. As we look at this candle we celebrate the peace we find in Jesus Christ.

John the Baptist - The Candle of Love
Love is like a candle shining in a dark place. As we look at the light of this candle we celebrate the love we have in Christ. 

Mary the mother of Jesus - The Candle of Joy
Joy is like a light shining in a dark place. As we look at this candle we celebrate the joy we find in Jesus Christ.

The fifth candle represents the birth of Christ. The flame of this candle remind us that He is the light of the world and that if we follow Him, we will never walk in darkness, but will have the true light of life.

Advent Christian Church, North Springfield, Vermont