Advent

The word 'Advent' is from the Latin word meaning coming, and it prepares for Christmas, which celebrates the coming of Christ. This covers four weeks. During these weeks the Scripture readings in many churches concentrate on the events leading up to Christ's birth, such as the ministry of John the Baptist and the Old Testament prophecies of the coming of the messiah. In Roman Catholic churches the priest wears purple vestments as a sign of sorrow for sin. Statues are also covered over with purple cloth. The earliest Advent Sunday can be is the 27th of November and the latest the 3rd of December. These days people have advent calenders and candles which are symbols of the counting down to the festival of Christmas.

Christmas (Matthew 1:18-2:12; Luke 2:1-20)

Advent ends with Christmas, the birth of Jesus in a stable at Bethlehem. It is important that Jesus was born of a human being (Mary) so as to be able to share human feelings, and of God so as to have divine power. Christmas services vary, but some churches hold a midnight mass or communion service late on the night of Christmas eve. This service is in many churches preceded by a carol concert. Some churches have a crib, a model of the stable at Bethlehem, which is on show until January the sixth. However, many of our Christmas customs, such as presents, feasting, Christmas trees and the yule log have nothing to do with Christianity. Some, such as the Yule log and the Christmas tree, are relics of the old pagan midwinter festival.

Symbols associated with Christmas

Presents	Trees	Holly, Misletoe, Ivy	Decorations	Advent Candle
Comes from the stories of the wise men (magi) who gave presents to the infant Jesus (Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh). Presents are symbols of love and caring	Sometimes from the story of St.Boniface who saved a child from being sacrificed and gave a fir tree as a symbol of life "ever green". Probably from the pagan festival of midwinter.	Evergreen was used to decorate houses. This was taken from the old midwinter festival which welcomed and encouraged the return of the sun.	The addition of the angel or star is the only specifically Christian symbol	Jesus is seen as the light of the world and is often symbolised by the use of a candle (cf: Baptism)

Epiphany

Twelve days after Christmas comes the Epiphany (January the sixth). Epiphany comes from Greek word meaning to show or reveal, when Christ was revealed to non-Jews. This celebrates the coming of the Magi, the wise men, to Jesus. These wise men were not Jews, so Christians see in their visit a sign that Christ's message is for all nations. The Orthodox Church's calendar celebrates Christmas and Epiphany on January the sixth. Note that there are not 3 kings in the bible this was an invention of the mediaeval German painters.

Question: Some Christians are critical of modern society because many people do not include a religious element into their celebrations at all. In what ways do you think Christians can give a genuinely Christian character to their celebrations?

Question: Christians place great value on the family, as it is seen as the institution best suited for the physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing of children and parents. In what ways is Christmas the festival of the family? How can it be of help in strengthening and preserving families?