12 Days of Christmas

Welcome to my Rose Chintz Cottage! Natasha at Keeping the Spirit of Christmas Alive 365 invited me to do a guest post for her 12 Days of Christmas Party and I thought it would be appropriate to talk about the importance of the real Reason for the Season.

Christmas is a most wonderful time of the year! I truly enjoy the music and the lovely decorations we see everywhere. I love the food, the gift giving, and joyous times with family and friends. All the traditions we enjoy as a family somehow have the ability to whisk me back to my childhood and every year at this time, I feel the little girl within me come alive once more.

But Christmas is so much more than that!
If not for Jesus Christ coming to earth as a Babe in a stable long ago, we would not be celebrating this beautiful season at all.

When my hubby and I were pastoring our church, we held an Advent service every week beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. Each Sunday, a candle was lit followed by some scripture and we loved getting the congregation involved.

An Advent wreath of evergreens was made, representing eternity, and I arranged five candles in it.
Each candle represented an aspect of the spiritual preparation for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Source Internet

Advent Wreath Candles

Four candles are arranged in a wreath: three purple candles and one pink candle. In the center of the wreath sits a white candle. As a whole, these candles represent the coming of the Light of Christ into the world.

On the first Sunday of Advent, the first purple candle is lit. This candle is typically called the "Prophecy Candle" in remembrance of the prophets, primarily Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. This candle represents Hope or expectation in anticipation of the coming Messiah.

On the second day of Advent, the second purple candle is lit. This candle typically represents Love. Some traditions call this the "Bethlehem Candle," symbolizing Christ's manger.

On the third day of Advent, the pink, or rose-colored candle is lit. This pink candle is customarily called the "Shepherds Candle" and it represents Joy.

The fourth and last purple candle, oftentimes called the "Angels Candle," represents Peace and is lit on the fourth Sunday of Advent. I oftentimes lit the pink candle the week before the white candle was lit.

On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, the white center candle is traditionally lit. This candle is called the "Christ Candle" and represents the Life of Christ that has come into the world. The color white represents purity. Christ is the sinless, spotless, pure Saviour. Also, those who receive Christ as Savior are washed of their sins and made whiter than snow.

May we all remember the REASON FOR THE SEASON.

"For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a Baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger. " ~ Luke 2:11-12 
 

This stable was specially built for me by a gentleman in our last church. All the figurines are from Avon and they date from about 1981-1989. Each one was a gift from a family member or friend so they all hold sentimental value. Every year I display my nativity in the china cabinet. 

"O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant;
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him, born the Kings of angels.
O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord." 
 

Let us be glad and rejoice because Christ has come!

Thank you Natasha for having me. I am sharing this post on my Christmas Pudding blog as well.

From my home to yours ~  Merry Christmas!

Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi