The Arrival: Decoding the Four Sundays of Advent

We often treat Christmas as a deadline. It is a date on the calendar we are rushing toward, filled with shopping lists, travel plans, and chaotic logistics.

But historically, the church didn't just "arrive" at Christmas. They prepared for it. This is the season of Advent (from the Latin adventus, meaning "coming"). It is a four-week protocol designed to slow down the system and prepare the heart for the weight of the event.

The tradition of the Advent Wreath marks this journey with four candles, each representing a specific spiritual frequency.

Week 1: Hope (The Prophecy Candle)

The Purple Candle

The first week is about Hope, but not the "I hope I get a bike" kind of hope. Biblical hope is not wishful thinking; it is the confident expectation of a promise. This candle looks back at the prophets (like Isaiah) who waited centuries for a Messiah. It reminds us that even in the darkest periods of history, the signal is still there. We light this candle to acknowledge that while the world is broken, the solution is coming.

Week 2: Peace (The Bethlehem Candle)

The Purple Candle

The second week shifts to Peace. This candle represents the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. It challenges our modern definition of peace. We often think peace means "the absence of trouble." But in the biblical context, peace (Shalom) means "wholeness" in the midst of trouble. It is the calm in the eye of the storm. We prepare our hearts by decluttering the noise and finding stillness before the King arrives.

Week 3: Joy (The Shepherd’s Candle)

The Pink Candle

The third week brings a color shift. We light the pink candle for Joy. This represents the Shepherds—ordinary, blue-collar workers who were the first to receive the news. The shift from purple (solemnity) to pink (celebration) signals that the waiting is almost over. This is not just "happiness," which depends on circumstances. It is Joy—a deep, resonant frequency that exists even when life is hard. It is the thrill of the announcement: "Good news of great joy for all people."

Week 4: Love (The Angel’s Candle)

The Purple Candle

The final candle is Love. This brings us to the core of the system. Why did any of this happen? "For God so loved the world." This is the final preparation. It reminds us that the entire Christmas narrative—the manger, the star, the cross—is a rescue mission motivated by love. We light this candle to remember that we are not abandoned in the universe. We are sought after.

Conclusion

The Christ Candle (White) is lit on Christmas Eve, centered in the wreath. But we cannot fully appreciate the light of the center until we have walked through the four weeks of darkness surrounding it.

Advent is the discipline of waiting. It teaches us that the best things in life are not instant; they are worth preparing for.