What is Advent? This month, we’ve been discovering more about Advent and the terms of each week. This is the third week. In addition, this week’s candle represents joy. The traditions of the advent wreath and the lighting of candles is an old tradition that many still celebrate. Because each week symbolizes a term that is also a part of the fruit of the Spirit, Little Pot (a fruit-bearing vessel created by the potter) is spending the next few weeks sharing about each one.
You can read about the first week and the candle of hope here. The second candle stands for faith. You can read about it here.
What is Advent?
Advent is a term that comes from the Latin word adventus, which means coming. The dictionary defines advent as “the coming of a notable person or event.” Initially, Christians thought Advent was a time of anticipating Christ’s second coming, not the first when he was born on Christmas.
The history behind the four weeks of Advent.
The advent wreath and advent season, being a pre-Christmas celebration, started in the 1800s in Germany. Likewise, immigrants from Germany brought the tradition to America in the 20th century. It traditionally contains four candles. Three are purple, and one is pink.
The Meaning of Advent’s Four Candles.
There are a few different descriptions of the four candles and what each stands for. Some list them as hope, peace, joy, and love. Another listed hope, peace, and then love before joy. Likewise, a third description of the candles was hope, faith, joy, then peace. Each word references a part of the Christmas story. In addition, these exact words are included in the fruit of the Spirit. Therefore, we will examine these words about the advent season since Little Pot is a fruit-bearing vessel like us. Each week, we discuss a different candle.
- Week One – Hope
- Week Two – Faith
- Week Three – Joy
- Week Four – Peace
- Christmas Week – Love
A Pink Candle, Joy, and Gaudete Sunday
This week is the 3rd week of the Advent season. In a traditional Advent wreath, a pink candle is lit. Since all the other candles in the wreath are purple, it is special that this week is pink. This candle stands for joy. The Sunday that begins this week is known as the Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete means to rejoice. Similarly, the third Sunday in Lent, the Laetare Sunday, stands for joy.
During the Laetare Sunday of Lent, the pope is known to give pink roses and wear a pink robe. Therefore, the color of joy is pink and is represented as a pink candle in the advent wreath.
Joy is also listed within the qualities of the fruit of the Spirit. The joy that comes to us from the Spirit is not dependent on our circumstances. It is an inward joy that exists amongst our trials. I Peter 1:3-9 describes our trials as pale compared to knowing the glory that awaits us in heaven.
What is joy?
Likewise, joy in the original greek means cheerfulness, calm, and delight. In addition, James 1:2 tells us to consider facing our trials with pure joy. This joy is Kath-ar-os, which means clean and clear. Therefore, these verses tell us that we are to be cheerful, calm, and delighted when we face trials. That type of joy is something that comes from the Holy Spirit.
The Christmas story is full of great trials. For example, Mary traveled to Bethlehem, left her family, and gave birth in a barn. Likewise, Joseph faced trials when he found out Mary was pregnant before he married her. Then, she traveled to Bethlehem to register for their taxes. In addition, they were told there was no room for them in the inn. Regardless of these harsh circumstances, Mary ponders things in her heart. She maintained joy because she focused on the purpose of the child she carried.
As Christmas approaches, the season will bring trials our way, too. However, these trials should remind us of the joy within the fruit of the Spirit.
Prayer for Advent Wreath
Dear Lord,
You are Joy! Thank you. for coming to earth and saving people from their sins. Coming to earth as a baby on that first Christmas was difficult for Mary or Joseph. However, Mary and Joseph must have anticipated the advent of your first coming with great joy.
Because you came and died for our sins, you now promise to come and live inside each of us. Thank you for filling me with your Holy Spirit and growing hope, faith, joy, peace, and love through me. I believe in you and anticipate the advent of your daily presence in my life.
I also know that you promise to come again. The joy I have knowing that you will return and reign forever. I anticipate the advent of your second coming, too. Continue to grow your joy through me in every trial I face.
Amen
What is Advent and the fruit of the Spirit?
The story of The Little Pot is about a potter growing fruit through the vessel he made. Joy is a fruit that our creator produces through us (Galatians 5:22-23). Likewise, the same joy Mary had throughout the trials of the first Christmas can be present in our trials. Little Pot’s story continues as it meets a Tea Pot and discovers how it is to serve. Eventually, it helps a small, scared oil lamp shine the potter’s light. Once the oil lamp has learned to shine, it faces burnout and needs the help of a cracked jar. Get all the Little Pot books here or on Amazon.
If you want to learn more about growing the fruit of the Spirit and discover how Little Pot becomes a fruit-bearing vessel, sign up below. In addition, you will be added to our email list, and each Friday, you will receive a short, fruitful email. I hope you will join me.
The Little Pot, The Tea Pot, The Oil Lamp, and The Little Pot Rhyme Boardbook are also available on Amazon.
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