Advent is a call to followers of Christ to remember the birth of the Savior. The word advent stems from a Latin word that means “coming” or “arrival.” The season begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and, depending on the year, can range from 22 to 28 days. Its purpose is to help believers remain focused on the birth of Christ and Jesus’ glorious return.
Some of the most popular commercial Advent calendars are cardboard. Each day, kids open a little door to discover a chocolate treat or another small surprise. But the Advent tradition goes deeper. Many Christian families have daily Scripture and devotional readings, along with a simple activity that helps kids remain focused on how Jesus came to earth as their Savior. Some families also use a traditional Advent wreath, lighting its candles each evening as they count down to Christmas.
The Advent season is divided into four weeks, and each week features a different liturgical theme. Traditionally, the first week remembers the hope and expectation of the Jewish people as they looked forward to the Savior’s arrival — and it also reminds believers today to wait expectantly for Jesus’ second coming. The second week focuses on preparation: Over many centuries, God prepared the hearts of the Jews for Christ’s coming, just as He is now working in our hearts to prepare us for Christ’s second coming. The third week joyfully celebrates the coming of the Messiah, and the final week celebrates God’s peace and love.
–Benjamin Hettick
AdventWord provides visual and written meditations during the liturgical season of Advent. In 2020, Advent begins on Sunday, November 29. The written meditations will be provided in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and in American Sign Language on YouTube. Each morning during Advent, the meditations are distributed: on AdventWord.org, Email, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Around the world, prayers ascend in response to the meditations. People post their reflections on their respective social media pages, tagging AdventWord on the platform. From there, AdventWord shares and reposts on each site – amplifying the prayers during this holy season. Find the social feed on the AdventWord website, or on your favorite social media platform.
Explore the different ways that people respond to the daily words, whether written meditations, drawings, photographs, or poems. And don’t forget to share on the St. Stephen’s Facebook page and Instagram, as well!
Click here for a beautiful FREE Advent Devotional calendar chocked full of fun activities for children and families, as well as prayers, stories, reflections and more!
Let’s explore the practice of praying in color in tandem with lectio divina. Lectio divina means “sacred reading.” It is an ancient way to read and pray scripture as living word, always fresh and new.
An Advent Workshop
November 29, Sunday 7-8:30 PM ET
Sponsored by the Jordan Ministry Team, a collaborative ministry of the Salvatorian Family
Advent is the season of preparation for God’s coming into the world as flesh and blood at Christmas. Advent—which begins on Sunday, November 29—is also the season of preparation for our daily pilgrimage with Jesus throughout the whole liturgical year. With left-brain and right-brain exercises, we will explore the rich and lush language of Advent. We will learn some meditative and playful prayer practices for use during Advent or anytime. Bring some plain paper, a pen, colored pencils or markers, and a spirit of holy Adventure.
Click here for more info and to register!
That’s right! Looking to get into the Advent spirit even more! Then click here for a Spotify channel meant to fill you with hope, peace, joy and love!
