At WPC, we have been praying about light in the darkness for the past few weeks and it might be great to get involved in Advent this year and be light in a dark world. 24-7 Prayer are encouraging Christians to run a creative prayer room. Find out more.
Advent is a Christian season of preparation and anticipation for Christmas that begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. The word “Advent” comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “arrival” or “coming”. It celebrates the coming of Jesus Christ, both his birth in the past and his future Second Coming. Traditions include using Advent calendars, lighting Advent wreaths, and attending special church services. This year, it starts on Advent Sunday 30th November and every Sunday in the lead up to Christmas. The four Sundays of Advent are traditionally associated with themes like hope, peace, joy, and love.
A popular tradition is the daily countdown to Christmas using an Advent calendar, which can be a seasonal decoration with 24 little doors to open. Many families and churches use an Advent wreath, a wreath with four candles that are lit one by one on each Sunday of Advent. Special services are held, and often the traditional colour purple is used for decorations, as it signifies penance and royalty. The season includes prayer and daily devotionals as part of the preparation.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.’ – John 1:5
You can get involved each Sunday by lighting a candle in your window or home and praying the words of John 1:5 over your street, asking the Lord for His light to shine in your street.
If you would like to get more involved, 24-7 Prayer have some great Advent resources that you can download. They are encouraging churches or groups to plan a 24-7 prayer room. They have a new Advent prayer room pack with lots of creative prayer ideas that you can use. You can also find out how to run a 24-7 Prayer room.
