Daily Archives: December 2, 2009

Wednesday Night Update

02 Wednesday Dec 2009

Posted by in Wednesday Night Update

≈ Leave a Comment

The Weatherman Was Correct

Today turned out exactly as forecasted.  It was also one of those cold right down to your bones kind of days.  Then it began raining.  Yuk!  It is actually warmer now than it has been all day topping out at around 50 degrees at 10:00 at night.  It must have rained a whole lot because we are now under a flood watch.  I believe tomorrow is suppose to be much nicer with highs in the low 50′s.

Should Be A Nice Day to Run

I am already planning on going out for a run tomorrow afternoon.  It will be the first time in several weeks that I have gone out on only one day’s rest.  That should make for a good run.

Preparation

Today was a day of planning and preparation.  Preping for tonight’s praise team practice and worship for our student ministries.  It’s been several weeks since we have had a worship time on Wednesday night, so that was really nice.  One of the songs that I taught tonight was “Jesus Messiah.”   We even had our own Advent candle lighting as part of our worship time.

Student Ministries

We had a great time tonight — I really enjoyed sitting in the the Middle School class as they talked about worship.  It was a good night.  Pam had a good time with the younger children.

Worship Arts

The team did a great job on the tunes that I presented them tonight including a old Charles Wesley Advent hymn called “Celebrate Immanuel’s Name.”  It took us several times through but we finally got it and it sounds really nice.  I really can’t wait till Sunday to sing it with the congregation.

Closing Thoughts

That’s about it for tonight.  What a great day I had today.  Looking forward to the rest of the week.  Seize the Day!

The Symbols of Advent – 1

02 Wednesday Dec 2009

Posted by in Advent

≈ Leave a Comment

The Advent wreath has become a widely used symbol of Advent waiting. The four candles represent the four Sundays of Advent, while the fifth (middle) candle represent the arrival of Jesus. It is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day

Probably the most familiar symbol of Advent is the Advent wreath.  I have tried to recall when the concept of Advent was first introduced to me.  It was sometime during the 80′s before Pam and I got married.  I have come to appreciate this preparation ritual.  The Advent wreath symbolizes the coming of Christ.  Originally, the Advent wreath was a wreath of evergreens placed in a circle containing four candles.  Each Sunday a different candle was lighted until all four candles shed their light together.  The gradual increase of light symbolized the growing anticipation of the birth of Jesus.

Each of the candles has a different emphasis.  I have used different themes over the years.  The most common are Hope, Peace, Joy, Love.  Another way it can be represented is as follows:

Week One: Vigilant waiting for the birth of Christ

Week Two: Personal preparation for the birth of Christ.

Week Three: The joy of our waiting.

Week Four: The incarnation of the Word in the womb of the Virgin Mary.

Christmas Day: The Christ candle represents the birth.

The colors of the candles symbolize the twin themes of Advent — preparation and joy.  The darker purple or blue candles represent the solemn preparation of Advent, while the pink or rose-colored candle represents joy.  Finally the white Christ candle is the symbol of festivity.

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.