The following is a brief synopsis of the symbols which we have come to adore in our celebration of Christmas
in America. I hope that by becoming more familiar with the meaning behind each of these symbols, that it will increase your
joy as you worship the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ, as a lowly babe in a manger.
Please note, that in trying to be brief, I have had to leave out rich and vibrant details. I encourage all of you who are truly interested in the symbols of Christmas and their origins to read the books listed in the bibliography for this website.
|
|
The season of Advent, like Christmas itself, has a hystory all it's own within the church. Though most
Christians in Envgelical Christendom do not celebrate the season of Advent, the term may have come up at least in passing
conversation. However, among Catholic and some Prostestant churches, the season of Advent is still a sacred time leading up
to the birth of Jesus.
Advent is a Latin word meaning "the coming" and is a time leading up to the celebration of the feast of the Nativity, Christmas. This four week period traditionally starts on the first Sunday following November 30th, the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle ending on Christmas Eve. In the early days of the church, Advent was to be a time of reflection on Jesus and what His "coming" into the world meant.
Originally, the season of Advent was a time to reflect on three major concerns:
- The coming of God in the form of man, the Son of God, the babe in the manger
- The nature of someone's life after Jesus comes into their heart mind and soul
- The second coming of Jesus at the end of ages to establish His kingdom on the earth
As Christmas evolved more and more into a holiday mainly for children, the other misionary aspects of the Advent season have all but faded away. |
