Ann Voskamp thoughts is my basis
From her four part You Tube series
Join me now as we explore advent
Let Christmas be more than an event
Advent taken from the Latin means coming
Christians are always perpetually waiting
Not only anticipating His birthday celebration
But His Second Coming with daily expectation
Germany 1839 advent wreath originated
Protestant pastor Johann Wichern created
24 holes with candles in an old cart wheel
For kids to count days to Christmas as well
Wreaths with five holes are used more today
Main focus is preparation for Christmas Day
Four Sundays prior and Christmas candle is lit
Each with symbolic character traits behind it
The first candle of advent designates hope
Ann shares Isaiah 11:1-2 to explain its scope
The Branch shoot Jesus from the tree of Jesse
He is the source of our hope through eternity
The second candle is peace just as the angels sing
Glory to God in the highest peace on earth to bring
Ann describes Satan as prosecutor who kills peace
2 Thess. 3:16 Jesus gives perfect peace to daily live
The third candle is joy as Ann shares John 16:20-22
Like a woman in painful labor but then joy comes too
Joy is a flame glimmering only in an open humble hand
1 Thess. 1:6 joy comes from the Holy Spirit given to man
The fourth candle is love in Jesus coming to be with man
God who created galaxies of stars takes on skin as a human
To breathe stable air then iron sharp nails pierced His hands
From the manager to the cross He fulfilled His Father’s plan
The message of Christmas is that this world is a chaotic mess
We needed a Messiah to meet us where we are in our weakness
Love literally came down to us and interrupted our hurt world
Because of Jesus love is now always the last and final word
Carol S. for belated Christmas 2014
NOTE: All credits given to Ann as indicated in the first stanza