The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word “adventus,” which means “a coming, approach, arrival.” It’s a way of focusing our minds at this busy time on the real reason for the season (spoiler: it’s Jesus).
We often use four candles at Advent to represent four themes: hope, peace, joy, and love.
We will be following this pattern throughout December:
Week 1 – Hope: Prophecy
Week 2 – Peace: Bethlehem
Week 3 – Joy: Shepherd’s
Week 4 – Love: Angel’s
“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see — I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’” – Luke 2:10-12
Can you imagine how the shepherds felt? Try to put yourself in their shoes…

The Angel Appearing to the Shepherds by Rembrandt (1634) – Public Domain
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rembrandt_van_Rijn_-_The_Angel_Appearing_to_the_Shepherds.jpg
Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
While shepherds kept their watching
O’er silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a Holy light
The shepherds feared and trembled
When, lo! Above the Earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Saviour’s birth
Down in a lowly manger
Our humble Christ was born
And brought us all salvation
That blessed Christmas morn
Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
That Jesus Christ is born
Find somewhere quiet and give this a listen, asking God to speak to you through the song: