Christian Advent: A Sacred Season of Waiting, Hope, and Renewal

By Cornwall United Methodist Church, Lebanon, PA

Christian Advent

Advent is one of the most meaningful seasons in the Christian calendar, yet it is often misunderstood or overshadowed by the noise and urgency of modern life. As stores rush into holiday promotions and calendars fill with parties, performances, and obligations, the church enters a different rhythm entirely—one marked by waiting, reflection, and hope. Advent invites believers to slow down, to listen, and to prepare not only for Christmas Day, but for the coming of Christ in our hearts, our communities, and our world.

At Cornwall United Methodist Church in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Advent is a sacred time of spiritual preparation. It is a season that speaks deeply to the human experience—especially in times of uncertainty, longing, and change. Advent reminds us that God enters the world not through power or spectacle, but through promise, patience, and presence.

This season teaches us how to wait with faith, how to hope when the world feels broken, and how to prepare room for Christ anew. Advent is not simply a countdown to Christmas; it is a journey that shapes who we are as followers of Jesus.

What Is Advent in the Christian Tradition?

The word Advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival.” In the Christian faith, Advent is the season that prepares believers for the celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth while also pointing toward His promised return. Traditionally, Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and lasts until Christmas Eve.

Advent holds a unique dual focus. On one hand, it looks backward to the long-awaited birth of Christ in Bethlehem. On the other, it looks forward to Christ’s return and the fulfillment of God’s kingdom. This tension between what has already happened and what is still to come gives Advent its depth and power.

Rather than rushing toward celebration, Advent calls the church into intentional waiting. Scripture readings during this season often include prophetic voices like Isaiah, who spoke of a coming Messiah, as well as the stories of Mary, Joseph, John the Baptist, and others who waited faithfully for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

For Christians, Advent is a reminder that waiting is not passive. It is active, hopeful, and rooted in trust.

Why Advent Matters in Today’s World

In a culture driven by immediacy, Advent stands in gentle opposition. We live in a world that values speed, productivity, and instant gratification. Advent teaches a different lesson: that God often works through waiting.

Many people come into the Advent season carrying heavy burdens—grief, anxiety, uncertainty, financial stress, loneliness, or exhaustion. Advent acknowledges these realities. It does not ignore suffering or pretend everything is joyful. Instead, it proclaims that God meets us precisely in these places.

The story of Advent begins in darkness. Israel waited centuries for a Savior. Mary faced uncertainty and fear. Joseph wrestled with doubt. The world into which Jesus was born was marked by oppression and hardship. Yet God chose that moment to enter history.

Advent reminds us that God still comes into our brokenness today. Hope is not the absence of struggle; it is the assurance of God’s presence within it.

The Meaning of Waiting in Advent

Waiting is at the heart of Advent. But this waiting is not idle or empty. Biblical waiting is filled with expectation and trust. It is an act of faith.

Throughout Scripture, waiting often precedes God’s greatest acts. Abraham waited for a promised child. The Israelites waited for deliverance. The prophets waited for a Messiah. Advent places us within this long story of faithful waiting.

For modern believers, waiting can be uncomfortable. We want answers, solutions, and certainty. Advent invites us to surrender control and trust God’s timing. It teaches patience in a world of urgency and attentiveness in a culture of distraction.

At Cornwall United Methodist Church, Advent encourages us to ask meaningful questions: What are we waiting for? Where do we need God’s presence? How might God be at work even when we cannot yet see the outcome?

The Advent Wreath and Its Spiritual Symbolism

One of the most visible symbols of Advent is the Advent wreath. Traditionally made of evergreen branches in a circular shape, the wreath represents God’s eternal love and faithfulness. The evergreen reminds us that life persists even in winter, pointing to the enduring hope found in Christ.

The four candles of the Advent wreath are typically lit one by one each week, symbolizing the growing light of Christ in the world. While traditions may vary, the candles commonly represent hope, peace, joy, and love. A fifth candle, the Christ candle, is often lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Each candle invites reflection on a different aspect of our faith journey. As the light grows week by week, it reminds us that even a small flame can push back darkness.

The Advent wreath serves as a visual reminder that God’s promises unfold over time, and that Christ’s light is steadily drawing near.

Hope: Trusting God’s Promises

Hope is often associated with optimism, but biblical hope is deeper than positive thinking. Christian hope is grounded in God’s faithfulness. It is confidence rooted not in circumstances, but in God’s character.

During Advent, the church remembers the hope of a promised Messiah. The prophets spoke of a Savior who would bring justice, healing, and restoration. Even when fulfillment seemed impossible, God remained faithful.

For believers today, Advent hope speaks into our own waiting. It reassures us that God is still working, even when prayers feel unanswered and paths seem unclear. Hope anchors us when life feels uncertain.

At Cornwall United Methodist Church, Advent hope encourages us to trust that God’s story is not finished—that light will break through darkness, and new life will emerge even in the coldest seasons.

Peace: God’s Presence in a Troubled World

Peace is another central theme of Advent, yet it is often misunderstood. Biblical peace, or shalom, is not merely the absence of conflict. It is wholeness, reconciliation, and right relationship with God and one another.

The peace announced at Jesus’ birth did not mean the end of political turmoil or personal hardship. Instead, it marked the beginning of God’s work of restoration in the world.

During Advent, we are invited to reflect on where peace is needed—in our hearts, our families, our community, and our world. Advent peace calls us to become peacemakers, embodying Christ’s love through forgiveness, compassion, and justice.

In a world marked by division and unrest, Advent reminds us that true peace comes from God and flows outward through those who follow Christ.

Joy: A Deeper, Enduring Gladness

Joy in Advent is not shallow happiness or constant cheerfulness. It is a deep, abiding joy rooted in God’s presence. It can exist alongside sorrow, grief, and struggle.

Mary’s song, known as the Magnificat, captures this Advent joy. Even amid uncertainty and risk, Mary rejoices in God’s faithfulness. Her joy is grounded in trust, not comfort.

Advent joy invites believers to recognize God’s work even in unexpected places. It reminds us that joy is a gift—one that does not depend on circumstances but on the assurance that God is with us.

At Cornwall United Methodist Church, Advent joy encourages gratitude, worship, and celebration of God’s goodness, even when life feels complicated.

Love: God’s Gift to the World

Love is the foundation of the Advent story. God’s decision to enter the world through Jesus is the ultimate expression of divine love. This love is not abstract or distant; it is personal, sacrificial, and transformative.

Advent love calls us to reflect God’s love in tangible ways. It challenges us to care for the vulnerable, welcome the stranger, and serve those in need. Love is not merely something we feel; it is something we live.

During Advent, the church is reminded that love is the reason Christ came—and the mission Christ entrusted to His followers.

Mary, Joseph, and Faithful Obedience

The Advent story is deeply human. Mary and Joseph were ordinary people asked to trust God in extraordinary circumstances. Their journey was filled with uncertainty, risk, and sacrifice.

Mary’s willingness to say yes to God’s call demonstrates profound faith and courage. Joseph’s obedience reflects quiet strength and trust. Their stories remind us that God often works through humble faithfulness rather than grand gestures.

Advent invites us to consider how we, too, are called to trust God’s leading, even when the path ahead is unclear.

Advent as a Season of Spiritual Preparation

Advent is a time to prepare—not only our homes, but our hearts. It invites reflection, prayer, repentance, and renewal. The church encourages practices that create space for God’s presence, such as Scripture reading, worship, generosity, and acts of service.

Rather than adding more busyness, Advent invites intentional simplicity. It asks us to examine what truly matters and to realign our lives with God’s purposes.

At Cornwall United Methodist Church, Advent is an opportunity to grow spiritually, deepen faith, and renew commitment to following Christ.

Living Advent Beyond Christmas

While Advent officially ends on Christmas Eve, its message continues. The themes of hope, peace, joy, and love are not confined to a season; they shape how Christians live year-round.

Advent teaches us to watch for God’s presence, to wait with trust, and to live with expectation. It reminds us that Christ is still coming into the world—in acts of kindness, moments of grace, and lives transformed by love.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to carry the light of Advent into our daily lives, sharing hope and compassion wherever we go.

Advent at Cornwall United Methodist Church

At Cornwall United Methodist Church in Lebanon, PA, Advent is a time of worship, reflection, and community. Through Scripture, prayer, music, and fellowship, we journey together toward the celebration of Christ’s birth.

Advent reminds us that we are not alone in our waiting. We are part of a community rooted in faith, guided by hope, and sustained by God’s promises.

Whether you are a lifelong believer or exploring faith for the first time, Advent offers a meaningful invitation: to slow down, to listen, and to prepare room for Christ in your life.

A Closing Invitation

As Advent unfolds, may you experience the quiet power of waiting, the steady assurance of hope, the gift of peace, the depth of joy, and the transforming strength of love.

May this season draw you closer to God and remind you that the light of Christ shines in the darkness—and the darkness has not overcome it.

Cornwall United Methodist Church welcomes you to walk this Advent journey with us, trusting that God is still coming into the world, still at work, and still inviting us into a story of grace, redemption, and hope.

Additional Resources

Cornwall United Methodist Church

Read the Bible Online