The Themes of Advent Explained

Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, meaning “arrival.” Advent is a season of anticipation, inviting Christians to prepare for the celebration of Christ’s birth while renewing their longing for His promised return.

Old Testament people waited with anticipation for the Messiah to come over 2,000 years ago. People in the New Testament celebrated the birth of Jesus when He came to earth the first time. Today, Christians wait for and prepare for His Second Coming, even though no one knows when that will be.

The dates and length of Advent are not the same every year. Advent 2025 starts on Sunday, November 30, and ends on Sunday, December 21, which is the last Sunday before Christmas Day on Thursday, December 25. Advent always begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and is celebrated on each successive Sunday until Christmas Day.

Advent is a two-fold celebration. It is a time when the focus is on Christ coming to the world for the first time as a baby in a manger. This is to celebrate something in the past.

The second focus is on the celebration of the Second Coming of Jesus. This is to celebrate something in the future. Therefore, the past and the future meet during Advent.

Even though the dates of Advent change, the themes remain the same every year. Some churches light a candle for each week of Advent.

Week 1, November 3o: The theme for the first week is HOPE. The word "hope" is in the Bible about 129 times. In the Old Testament, hope means looking for or desiring something to happen. The first theme of Advent is hope because people should be hoping to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ as well as waiting for His second return.

The first week of Advent takes us back to that cold barn when Jesus was born and placed in a manger. It seems like a hopeless situation at the time, but it was part of God's plan, just like your hopelessness is part of God's plan for greater things.

Therefore, light the candle of hope this week in your heart because as long as you have a heartbeat, you have hope.

Week 2, December 7: The theme for the second week is PEACE. The word "peace" is in the Bible 429 times, starting in Genesis 15:15 and continuing throughout the rest of the Bible.

Jesus gave us an inheritance of peace when He left the earth. He said:

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you" (John 14:27).

During the second week of Advent, we should remember that peace is our inheritance. We should remember that we can have the peace of God that passes all understanding, according to Philippians 4:7.

Therefore, light the candle of peace in your heart and keep it burning all week as a reminder of the peace that Jesus left you as your inheritance.

Week 3, December 14: The theme for the third week is JOY. The word "joy" is in the Bible about 650 times in some form, such as joy, joyful, joyous, and rejoice.

Paul wrote the entire book of Philippians about joy when he was in prison. Therefore, it is known as the "Joy Book" considering Paul used the word "joy" or related words in it about 19 times in the short book of only four chapters.

Therefore, light the candle of joy in your heart and keep it burning all week. Spread joy by using the acronym J-O-Y. Start with the J for Jesus. Use the O for Others, and finally, use the Y for Yourself. "For the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10).

Week 4, December 21: The theme for the fourth week is LOVE. We should light the candle of Love as the last candle because it is the greatest of all the virtues on the Advent wreath and encompasses Jesus’ entire purpose for being on earth.

The word "love" is in the Bible over 300 times. Paul wrote 1 Corinthians 13, which is all about love. We see God’s love for everyone by sending His Son for us (John 3:16).

The final week of Advent helps us to reflect on the magnitude of love. We cannot walk with God without loving Him, His Son, and others. Therefore, light the fourth candle during Advent to show that you recognize the need for love in all the world. Let's do our part to spread love!

Conclusion

May you be blessed each week as you await the celebration of Jesus' return.

• May you enter the first week of Advent with hope renewed.
• May you enter the second week of Advent with peace restored.
• May you enter the third week of Advent with joy awakened.
• May you enter the fourth week of Advent with love surrounding you.