3 Quarters Today

My Life, my photography, my passions

You are here: Home / Home

Wednesday, 2nd Week Advent: What is the Meaning of Gifts at Christmas

by

Lutheran Advent Season, What is is All About? Hopefully, this series will inspire, teach and prepare you for Christmas in a way you never considered. Learn the symbolism and meaning of advent candles .Why do we give gifts: Christmas meaning of giving

Right now many people are scrambling and rushing about trying to get the “perfect” gift for that special someone for Christmas. Expectations are high and everyone wants to find unique gifts at Christmas time to outdo, outspend and impress other people.

What if we stopped?

What is the meaning of gifts at Christmas anyway?

Gifts are given and not deserved. They are never earned. On Christmas, you receive the gift of the baby Jesus despite how naughty or nice you were during the year.

Parts of a Gift: The giver, the receiver and the gift itself.

A true gift is given without any expectations from the receiver. The receiver doesn’t expect a gift and often doesn’t deserve it. The giver gives without expecting anything in return. No payback, no bribes are intended, no quid pro quo.

There is nothing for the receiver to say or do other than thanks. Get it, nothing.

Isn’t that wonderful!!!

A true gift gives back with the thanks received and the joy returned by the receiver. Think about it.

What was the best gift you ever gave to someone? It probably was a surprise, unexpected, something you thought about long and hard. You gave it at the right time, at the right place, you didn’t expect anything in return and it was accepted with pure joy. A smile, a hug, and sincere thanks made it all worth worthwhile.

God gave us that one very big, impressive, one of a kind gift.

Jesus Christ is HIS gift to the world. He is God’s gift to us and all we have to do is accept it. We don’t have to do anything for it, we don’t have to “repay” one gift with another.

That is how we should give and receive Christmas gifts this year.

Advent Devotional Readings: Wednesday, 2nd Week Advent

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 29: 15-21; 14  Revelation 1: 1-20 


Tuesday, 2nd Week Advent: The Lutheran Advent Season

by

 

Lutheran Advent Season, What is is All About? Hopefully, this series will inspire, teach and prepare you for Christmas in a way you never considered. Learn the symbolism and meaning of advent candles .The Lutheran Advent Season Continues

Today’s Reading Romans 14: 4-13

Many people believe the Bible does not reflect the needs of “modern man” and how can we use a book written before Facebook, iPhones and the modern world. But it does. It is full of wisdom, advice, and timeless direction.

During the Lutheran Advent season, our readings take us into the life of Jesus Christ and by Him, we are given an example of how we would live.

Christ received EVERYONE, regardless of their sins. He has mercy on those that don’t deserve it, including me.

He suffered, died, and was buried for crimes he did not commit. He showed love to those who were loveless and shunned by others. Think of the lepers, the prostitutes, the poor, and all the others that the Pharisees deemed “unworthy”

So, how can I not gladly and freely receive others?

Those who are strong ought to bear the failing of the weak. We should accept one another just as Christ accepted us in order to bring praise to God.  (Romans 15: 1, 7) These words were written almost 2000 years ago. God doesn’t ask us to just accept people who look like us, dress like us, or talk like us. He asks us to accept one another. Period.

Think about that for a minute, or more than a minute.

Christ was sent to us on Christmas as an example of how we should accept one another and love one another. This is the joy, peace, and hope of Christmas.

“May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in Him” Romans 15:13

Advent Devotional Readings: Tuesday, 2nd Week Advent

Reading for the 2nd Week Advent, Tuesday: Romans  15: 4-13

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 29: 1-14; 13; 1  Jude 5: 1-25 


Monday, Second Week Advent: The Christian Meaning of the Advent Candles and Wreath

by

Symbolism and Meaning: Advent Candles

Christians around the world light traditional Advent candles to observe the coming of Christ who is the light of the world. Advent wreaths are found in churches and homes and mark each Sunday in the Advent season.

In the Lutheran church, three purple or blue candles match the liturgical color of Advent. Blue symbolizes anticipation and hope. Violet or purple Advent candles are a symbol of royalty and recognize Advent as a time of preparation and repentance.

Pink is the Christian symbol or joy. Each candle is a step prepares for the celebration of the birth of the baby Jesus. 

Lutheran Advent Season, What is is All About? Hopefully, this series will inspire, teach and prepare you for Christmas in a way you never considered. Learn the symbolism and meaning of advent candles .

Meaning First Advent Candle: Hope (purple or blue)

This is often called the Prophecy candle, or the Candle of Hope and expectation. Advent is a season of expectation. Our hope comes from God who will fill all with joy and peace. So it is appropriate that the second Advent candle symbolizes peace.

Second Advent Candle Represents: Peace (purple or blue)

Peace on earth, goodwill to men with the love of Jesus and the promise of a Savior who would be born in Bethlehem. So appropriately the 2nd Advent candle is called the Candle of Preparation. 

3rd Advent Candle Means Rejoice and JOY! (pink or rose)

Why is the third Advent candle pink? Pink or rose is a church liturgical color that signifies JOY.

On the third Sunday of Advent, the Candle of Joy or the Shepherd candle is lite.  The shepherds received a message of joy. It is a time to rejoice during this time for the coming of the Lord is coming soon.  The theme of the third Sunday in Advent is “rejoice in joy” and the Latin word is Gaudete and found originally in Phillippians 4:4. 

4th Candle of Advent: Love (purple or blue)

The meaning of the fourth Advent candle is love. It is also referred to as the Angel Candle or Candle of Love and lite on the last Sunday of Advent. With it the Angel’s announce the birth of the baby Jesus.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

5th Candle of Advent: Christ Candle (white)

Many Advent wreaths also contain a 5th candle often referred to as the Christ candle or Christmas candle. On Christmas morning it is lit and completes the season of Advent with the birth of the baby Jesus. The white candle of Christmas stands in the center of the wreath, just like Christ should stand in the center of our lives.

It is white to reminds us that Jesus is the spotless lamb of God. Clean, sinless, without blemish or stain. Jesus washes us our sins and makes us clean and without stains through the forgiveness of sin.

Meaning of the Advent Candles represents the hope, peace, joy, love of Christ.

The meanind of Advent Candles tell the story of preparation for the birth of the baby Jesus. Learn what each color represents and means.

The story of the Advent wreath tells the journey of hope of the people of Israel in a Savior. It represents the peace that comes in the joy of receiving Jesus Christ our Savior and the love of Christ for everyone.

https://www.zazzle.com/nativity_scene_christmas_metal_ornament-175157663005363150

Advent Devotional Readings: Monday, 2nd Week Advent

Reading for the 2nd Week Advent, Monday: Malachi 4: 1-6

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 28: 14-29; 13; 1  John 5: 1-21 


Second Sunday Advent: Hymns for Advent Season

by

Lutheran Advent Season is Celebrated with Song and Music

“You better watch out!  You better not cry. You better not doubt, I’m telling you why…”  Oh no, that’s not how the hymns for Advent season being. Thank God that isn’t the theme of our Advent songs and hymns. But we often live that way, don’t we?

Jesus isn’t trying to catch us in sin or doing “good for goodness sake”

Yes, we should try. Try to live right, try to be clean, try not to sin. Our family and friends really need us to be good and not just during Advent leading up to Christmas.

Hymns for Advent Season are Full of Hope, Love, and Anticipation

Lutheran Advent hymns are a combination of some contemporary Advent songs such as “The Angel Gabriel” and some others you may not recognize.  I created a YouTube Advent Hymns playlist below for your enjoyment. Maybe you will recognize some of them, and others may bring back memories of Advent worship songs from the past.

Advent Sheet Music for Piano 

Lutheran Advent Season, What is is All About? Hopefully, this series will inspire, teach and prepare you for Christmas in a way you never considered. Your source for hymns for Advent season including Advent sheet music for piano and organ.List Advent Hymns

Below is a list of the YouTube Advent hymns with a link to the piano, organ and choral sheet music. I couldn’t find music for all of the hymns, but they can all be found in the Lutheran Hymnal and the arrangements are normally written to be sung in harmonies.

Advent Devotional Readings: Sunday Week Advent

2nd Sunday Advent Reading: Luke 21: 25-36

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 26: 20-27;  13; 1 John 4: 1-21 


Saturday, the First Week of Advent: Listening to God

by

How are we actively listening to God?

Are you listening to God? What does it mean to actively listen? It means pay attention. Give your undivided attention. It doesn’t mean sit in church and think about what you’re going to cook for dinner. It doesn’t mean make a mental checklist of the Christmas gifts you’re going to buy after church.

Lutheran Advent Season, Are you Listening to God? Hopefully, this series will inspire, teach and prepare you for Christmas in a way you never considered. Learn why the promise is important from God in your life. Are you listening to GodIf you want to hear God’s voice you do need to listen.

Listen to the promises He makes. There really is no “ifs, and, or buts” to his salvation.

If you are listening to God then you won’t hear him say “Your salvation might be coming if you start to fix your life”. He doesn’t say that. But were you listening?

You don’t have to give anything to get salvation. What?

The Lord says “You salvation is coming.” Period. 

The birth of the baby Jesus is coming to save us. He comes in a lowly manger to save you. He isn’t appearing with a ticker tape parade, nor will Mary have nurses and a comfortable bed.

Baby Jesus is born in a stable, a hole in a hillside, a cave where Jesus is born. A small quiet voice.

He will live His life as He wants us to live ours. Jesus Christs shows us through example that he endured hatred, mocking, and punishment from those that hated Him to save us. Like a newborn baby, He is clean, sinless. He took the punishment for us.

Are you listening to God now?

What do you do to deserve someone who loves you this much? You don’t have to do anything. But listen, have faith. With the birth of the baby Jesus, miraculous things are about to happen. Glory be to God!

Advent Devotional Readings: Saturday, First Week Advent

Reading for the 1st Saturday in Advent: Isaiah 9:1-7

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 26: 1-19; 1  John 3: 1-24 

My Review of the Weekly Advent Readings for the 1st Week of Advent

I have finished studying the first week of Lutheran Advent reflections. Didn’t know if I was going to get through them. I haven’t written like this in a long time. But I thought it was important and was compelled to do it.

Next week will be the Second week of Advent, and I will go provide a list of Advent songs and hymns. If you’re wondering about the Lutheran Advent wreath don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten the Advent candles.