The word "Advent" means "coming to" and it has reference to the coming of Jesus Christ to this world:(1) His coming among us in the flesh and in weakness almost 2000 years ago; (2) His coming in the Spirit and in power to the believer in this day; and (3) His final coming in glory and majesty for judgment.

     To the believer, Advent is a season of humbleness and of rejoicing -- in any and every phase of His coming. That is to say that the believer has something of the feeling of the Israelites, who rejoiced that the Lord was coming to judge the earth because He would "judge the world with righteousness, and His people with equity."

     It has been rightly said that as long as we live on earth we are living Advent!

     Advent has many symbols, or silent teachers. And the use of symbols in the Advent season may be one of the reasons for its increase observance in our time.

     Purple (and/or Blue) is the Advent color. It is a royal color, even as Advent is a season of preparation for royalty. But purple (violet) is also the color of humility and penitence, setting the mood for "the coming of the King."

     While there is the note of seriousness associated with Christ's final coming, still our hearts are filled with eager anticipation. And so you have this mixture, realizing that the real joy of Christmas is possible only when man acknowledges his sin and expectantly awaits Him who comes to heal and save.

     Therefore, in Advent we often use a number of additional symbols to express the many faceted themes of the season.

     Of course, if purple ribbons are associated with the Advent Wreath, they represent His royalty and our humility and penitence as we prepare for His coming.

     The Advent log is a variant of the Advent wreath, with a candle set in it and lit for every day of the Advent season.

     Advent calendars are being increasingly used in America, designed with little doors or windows opening up the consecutive days of the Advent season (beginning with the First Sunday of Advent and going through to Christmas Day itself). Behind each door or window is a suitable picture, Bible verse, or other appropriate scene, connected with the Advent story, leading up to the coming of Christ at Christmas. All of this is intended to heighten the pre-Christmas pleasure for young and old.

     Advent hymns, although not strictly symbols, have endeared themselves to Christians throughout the ages. From the beginning they have given lyrical and musical expression to the joy and to the penitence which mark the Christian spirit in this season of expectation.

     For instance: "Come, thou long-expected Jesus./Born to set thy people free;/From our fears and sins release us./Let us find our rest in thee." Some Advent hymns sound the note of solemn judgment, for example: "Midnight's solemn hour is tolling./ His chariot wheels are nearer rolling . . ." Other Advent hymns speak of glad anticipation, like: "Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel." So, elements of both seriousness and joy are part of the observance of Advent, but joy increases as Christmas draws nearer.

     The real story of Advent is best told as you might imagine, by the Bible itself! And as we start Year B of the three year Lectionary cycle for the Eucharist, and Year Two for Morning and Evening Prayer, you might want to read the Scriptural passages as a part of your Advent program. See the back of the Prayer Book for the selections. In addition, these passages heighten our anticipation: Deuteronomy 18:15-19; Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 and 9:2, 6-7 , and 7:14 and 11:1-5; Jeremiah 33:14-16; Zechariah 9:9-10; Malachi 3:1 and 4:1-6; Luke 1:26-38.