There will be new Christmas decorations for the Catholic Church in Nelson this Christmas, thanks to the people that donated funds and bought baked goods from Barbara Jeffs. Barbara organized a fund-raiser specifically to buy decorations for Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Many people bought homemade goodies or donated funds to her cause. “People from all denominations either bought goodies or donated to the fund-raiser. I’m very thankful for everyone’s generosity.” She raised more than $200, the proceeds going towards new Christmas and Advent decorations.
This Sunday, Dec. 1, is the beginning of our Advent season. A season observed in most Christian denominations as a time of waiting and preparation for both the celebration of Jesus’s birth at Christmas, and for the second coming. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, often referred to Advent Sunday. Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year in western Christianity.
The season of Advent in the Christian calendar anticipates the “coming of Christ” from three different perspectives. The physical nativity in Bethlehem, the reception in the heart of believers, and the eschatological Second coming.
Advent is a four week season in the Church calendar, dedicated to anticipating the arrival of Jesus of Nazereth, The long awaited Messiah and King. Christians from many backgrounds celebrate this time with reflections on hope, peace, love and joy. And while all the practices look different, all focus on the hope filled arrival of Jesus.
Advent takes place on the four Sundays that lead up to Christmas, and the word means arrival. Protestants, Catholics, Orthodox and all Christian religions celebrate Advent. The Advent wreath consists of four candles, three purple and one pink, each with separate meaning.
Week one, a purple candle is lit with the meaning of hope and prophecy. Isaiah and other prophets in the Bible predicted the coming of Jesus. Week two, another purple candle is lit, meaning peace and is called the Bethlehem candle. This candle is also often called the Bible candle.The candle reminds us of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. Week three, a pink candle is lit, meaning joy and is called the shepherds’ candle. A candle reminding us of Mary, The mother of Jesus, and the joy felt by the world at the birth of Jesus. The fourth and final candle is a purple one meaning love and is referred to as the Angel candle. A candle reminding us of the message of the Angels: “Peace on earth, good will towards men.”
This candle also reminds us of John the Baptist, Jesus’s cousin, who told people in Israel to get ready for Jesus’ teachings.
Traditions during the Advent season vary in religions and in families. The lighting of the candles during worship services and masses, private time of prayer and meditation, Bible reading, a time of sacrificing, decorating for Advent and Christmas are all ways to get ready for the coming of our Lord.
Jesus’s gifts to us this beautiful time of year are straight from His heart. We can experience His hope, peace, joy and love this Christmas, when we open up our hearts and prepare and celebrate His coming.
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