Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope

Speaker 1

I'm Joni Eareckson Tada. And with Christmas almost upon us, this is the perfect hymn for the season of Advent: "O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel." Ryan who mourns in lonely exile here until the God appears. Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. You know, this haunting melody is always the first hymn sung at the beginning of Advent. It's a little mournful, a little sad, a little plaintive. It expresses longing and wishing, and that's what the beginning of Advent is all about.

You see, the ancient Christian church celebrated Advent as a kind of fresh start, a time to examine your heart and be aware of your sin and recognize that, oh, my goodness, my heart is full of deceit. It is full of rebellion. I really need the Savior, and I'm so glad he's coming. Now, I don't know if your church lights candles on an Advent wreath, but let me explain what it's all about. Back in the 1500s, the Advent wreath was made of evergreens with four candles around it and one in the center. One candle is lit on each succeeding Sunday during Advent, with the fifth candle in the center always lit on Christmas Eve.

The candles around the wreath are usually purple, and for years, that has traditionally been the main Advent color, symbolizing repentance and fasting. Plus, it's also a color that looks forward to the coming of Christ as King of Kings. You know how purple is always associated with royalty. In the middle of the wreath is a white candle, and that represents the arrival of Jesus, sinless and pure.

Now, the Advent readings are what are most interesting. The first Sunday in Advent is all about hope. You need rescuing, and your God will come. He'll come and deliver you. In fact, that's why this Christmas carol I just sang was written: "O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel." When the second candle is lit, the readings are about our sin and our need of a Savior. I mean, come on, you really can't celebrate the birth of Jesus without knowing that you need him, right?

Then, on the third Sunday in Advent, the theme is joy: "Come, Thou long-expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free." And then there's the fourth Sunday in Advent with more hymns and readings and, of course, lighting the Christ candle on Christmas Eve. And you can imagine what the Advent hymn is for that day: "Joy to the world, the Lord is come."

Now, I realize that not many churches follow the ancient Christian church calendar nowadays. I was raised in the Reformed Episcopal Church, and we did so. I grew up with these things, and to me, Advent is such a wonderful season of great Bible readings and hymns of the faith.

Speaker 2

And friend, Advent is a time to stop and ponder and think about your need of a savior.

To help you do that, we're offering Joni's Advent Guide, where you'll find devotionals to help you prepare your heart for Christmas.

Go to joniradio.org and download your copy today.