Why Do We Celebrate Advent? Try This Week Three Advent Meditation
Advent is a season of spiritual preparation, waiting, and anticipation leading up to Christmas. In this 4 week series about Advent, we are exploring how these two seasons are observed in the Christian liturgical calendar.
In last week’s blog, we learned the “how” of Advent. This week we will explain why we celebrate Advent and enjoy an Advent meditation.
Why Do We Celebrate Advent?
Advent can be traced back to the fifth and sixth centuries when Christians first began to establish a specific period of time to prepare themselves for the Christmas season.
Advent consisted of making preparations such as the use of special decorations, music, and readings. Disciplines like fasting and prayer were also implemented to help “make room” in the hearts and minds of believers for what was to come. This is still why we celebrate Advent today.
However, Advent is more accurately described as “observed” than “celebrated,” as it is meant to be a solemn and reflective season. Unfortunately, this reflective nature is often overshadowed by the rush of holiday shopping and celebrations.
The way Advent is observed varies widely across cultures and denominations.
Here are some creative and meaningful ways to honor the Advent season:
- Advent Wreath: Light a candle each Sunday, reflecting on the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love.
- Daily Devotions: Use a special Advent devotional or liturgical scripture readings to help you meditate on Christ’s coming.
- Create a Nativity Scene: Set up a nativity scene, adding a new piece each week to symbolize your growing anticipation of Christ’s birth.
- Advent Calendar: Use a calendar with daily Bible verses, Journal prompts, prayers, or small challenges that bring joy or reflection.
- Advent Music: Listen to hymns or Advent-specific songs that encourage a reflective spirit. (Here is one of my favorites!)
When Does Advent End?
Advent ends on Christmas Eve, the evening of December 24th. Christmas begins at midnight on December 25th, when we celebrate the birth of Christ. It’s a joyful shift from the waiting and reflection of Advent to the excitement and celebration of Christmas!
Try This Week Three Advent Meditation
How do we prepare our minds and hearts for the “advent” or the coming of Christ?
Here is an Advent meditation for the third week of Advent. This breath prayer is a simple way to help you focus on the theme of joy. You can use it to reflect on the joy of our salvation offered through Jesus Christ.
“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”
Advent Meditation for Week Three of Advent:
- Preparation: Find a quiet and comfortable space where you won’t be disturbed. Sit or lie down in a comfortable position. Begin with a few minutes of mindful breathing. Pay attention to your breath, inhaling and exhaling naturally. This helps calm the mind and bring your attention to the present moment.
- Focus: As you inhale, meditate on how Jesus brings you joy. As you exhale, let go of your worries and invite His peace into your life.
- Breath Prayer: (Inspired by Philippians 4:4) This Advent meditation invites us to meditate on the joy that comes from Christ’s presence during Advent.
- Inhale: Jesus, You are near…
- Exhale: …Fill my heart with joy.
Take the Christ-centered Meditation Quiz
Why do we celebrate Advent? The Advent season reminds us of God’s promise of joy given to us in Jesus Christ. Meditation helps us quiet the chaos and set distractions aside in order to remember what we have forgotten. By practicing Christ-centered meditation, you can tap into the endless joy and peace that Jesus brings.
Want to learn more about what makes Christian meditation different from other types of meditation? Take my Christ-centered Meditation Quiz!
