The season of Advent began on December 1 and will continue through Christmas. This is meant to be a time of anticipation and expectant waiting, a time of prayer and self-reflection, to prepare us for the celebration of Christ’s birth. It provides an opportunity to quiet our minds and focus on the meaning of Christmas.

Many, especially children, enjoy this time of anticipation with the help of an Advent calendar. Each day they excitedly open the door of that day to find a special treat – a piece of chocolate or a little toy. Even if we do not use an Advent calendar, we can still open the door of our hearts to Jesus each day in expectancy of receiving His goodness and faithfulness.

Many celebrate the season of preparation with an Advent wreath. The circle of the wreath reminds us of God’s unending love and the eternal life we can have through Jesus. Each Sunday before Christmas, a candle on the wreath is lit symbolizing hope, peace, joy and love, leading up to lighting the Christ candle in the center on Christmas.

Just as God’s people waited in expectant hope for hundreds of years for prophecy to be fulfilled of the coming Messiah, today we wait in hopeful expectation for our Messiah, Jesus, to return for His people. Many also wait for prayers to be answered, for God to intervene in their lives or to fulfill promises. No matter how long we must wait, we need to focus our hope on God to come through for us, as He is our only hope.

The Lord also offers us His peace. Jesus said in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Jesus not only gives us peace; He is our peace. Isaiah 9:6 calls Jesus the Prince of Peace. During these turbulent times, Advent reminds us to look to Jesus for peace.

The third candle on the wreath symbolizes joy, and there’s only one place to find lasting joy. Psalm 16:11 says, “You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forever.” Nehemiah 8:10 tells us that the joy of the Lord is our strength. As we spend time reflecting in God’s presence during this season, we can find fullness of joy.

Romans 15:13 shows how joy, peace and hope all work together. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Paul exhorts us to always rejoice in the Lord in Philippians 4:4.

1 Corinthians 13:13 tells us that love is the greatest of all. It’s fitting that the last candle on the Advent wreath leading up to the Christ candle is the one symbolizing love. “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). God’s love never fails and it makes a way where there seems to be no way.

So during this season of preparation, let’s take time to look beyond the distractions and busyness of the holiday and open our hearts to the hope, peace, joy and love offered to us through Christ’s birth.

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