|
 Advent
“Celebrating the Coming of the Christ Child”
|
|
The four week period before Christmas is called
Advent and marks the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ to human form.
Advent is the beginning of the church year because this is where Jesus’
earthly life begins. It is a season of expectation and hope, the time of
waiting for the coming of the Messiah celebrated at Christmas. Royal Blue (or Purple) are used in the church during this time of
hope and are symbolic of royalty, announcing the coming of the King.
|
The Advent Wreath |
|
Christians traditionally use fire and light to represent
Christ’s coming into the world. The circular shape of the wreath is a
symbol of eternal life. The evergreens are a sign of the faithfulness of
God and the candles are a reminder of the light of Christ brought into
the world. One candle is lit on each of the Sundays of Advent and the
center candle symbolizing the light of Christ is lit on Christmas. |
Christmas
The Birth of Jesus |
|
God, coming in human form, arrived as an innocent baby to fulfill his
promise and give us a Savior. Jesus, the Son of God, was born as one of
us, living with his people, suffering and dying to save us from sin and
give us eternal life. White and Gold, symbolic of
purity and the glory of God, are used in the church during the Christmas
Season. This is actually a period of 12 days following the birth of
Jesus on Christmas Eve and ending on January 6, the Festival of Epiphany
and the celebration of the visit of the wise men.
|
Crismons |
|
These are beautiful handmade Christmas ornaments depicting various
symbols of Christianity. The ones used to decorate the trees at Trinity
were made by members of the women’s Bible study groups.
|
Epiphany |
|
Epiphany comes from a Greek word meaning to reveal or make manifest.
During this season the focus is on who Jesus is: both God and man. It
begins with the visit of the wise men bowing down to the King, the babe
in the manger. |
