We don't "celebrate" Advent, we "observe" Advent. It is a time of preparation for the coming of Christ into the world. Unlike the secular world there are no decorations (trees, lights, etc.) in the Church until just before Christmas Eve. This is to remind us of the darkness of the world before Jesus was born. We are to prepare for His coming. The person above me did a good job of explaining the candles. Then we celebrate His birth starting after sundown on December 24th. (We follow the custom of the Jewish people with the day starting at sundown.)
2007-01-09 08:35:54
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answer #1
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answered by tonks_op 7
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I am of Lutheran Denomination and we have services during advent and light candles each week around a wreath.
Advent in the Christian sense refers to the four weeks before Christmas. The four Sundays of Advent are often traditionally celebrated with four candles with one to be lit each Sunday. Each candle has a specific meaning associated with different aspects of the Advent story. The first one almost always symbolizes expectant hope and is sometimes associated with prophecy. The others are organized around characters or themes as a way to unfold the story and direct attention to the celebrations and worship in the season, such as Peace, Love, Joy. The third (and sometimes fourth) is generally symbolic of Joy at the imminence of the coming of Christ. A fifth, white or gold, candle -- called a "Christ Candle" -- is often lit in the center on Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day to signify Christ's birth.[1]
The colour scheme and order of symbolic associations for the candles is largely arbitrary but several traditions have adopted them for the meaning they carry. For Catholics and Protestants alike, the color of the first, second and fourth candles are purple (or blue), but the third is often rose-colored, to joyfully represent Gaudete Sunday with a less sombre liturgy. A few non-liturgical Christians, for whom different coloured candles are unavailable, use red candles for all four Sundays. A common way of marking the days of this advent, particularly among children who believe in Santa Claus, is an Advent Calendar. These can carry religious messages, seasonal pictures or little chocolate shapes. Another home-based craft made for advent is the Advent wreath that uses the candles described above as well as a circular wreath that symbolizes eternity.
2007-01-09 08:06:56
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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True believers follow scripture. Those who do not follow scripture really do now qualify as "Christians" though many claim to be followers who do not follow. (does that answer the question?) As Lew White said if you packed any more paganism into the package of beliefs that passes as "Christianity" it would explode. The Almighty said do not follow the ways of the heathen... and do not mention their names. His name is YHVH and the Savior's name is "yod he vav shin ein". That is the name that is often transliterated "Joshua" though the "J" didn't come into being until about the 1500s, so YAHASHUA is a much more accurate rendering of His name. God, Lord, etc are titles, not names.
2007-01-09 08:09:38
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answer #3
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answered by hasse_john 7
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The note creation skill 'coming', so christians practice in the course of the weeks of creation , some weeks earlier Christmas, the creation, or start of Christ, whose start we save in recommendations on Christmas day. Lent is the 6 and a 1/2 weeks or 40 days, in which we understand that Jesus fasted contained in the barren area for 40 days, changed into So in Lent we attempt to self-discipline ourselves, perchance with information from giving up some luxuries, or doing better prayer or bible studying, so as that we may make spritirual progression in that element.
2016-12-02 01:30:15
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answer #4
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answered by molander 3
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the way other christians do
2007-01-09 08:01:14
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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Party hats....noise makers.
2007-01-09 08:02:41
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24YPqQPbNZc
2007-01-09 08:01:13
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answer #7
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answered by Beautiful 1
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i donno
2007-01-09 08:02:17
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answer #8
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answered by irena 3
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