The Plowman

Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus and the events surrounding His Incarnation. The color white is often used to remind us of purity and glory. John, in the prologue of his gospel account speaks of that glory: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14, _^ESV.

This Sunday celebrates the fourth Sunday in Advent, anticipating the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ. In this time of the year we look back to his first coming, and look forward to his second coming, at the end of the age.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
and open wide our heav’nly home,
make safe the way that leads on high,
that we no more have cause to sigh.

O come, Thou Dayspring from on high,
and cheer us by thy drawing nigh;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night
and death’s dark shadow put to flight.

This Sunday celebrates the third Sunday in Advent, anticipating the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ. In this time of the year we look back to his first coming, and look forward to his second coming, at the end of the age.

O come, o come, Thou Lord of might,
who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height
in ancient times did give the law,
in cloud, and majesty, and awe.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse’s stem,
form ev’ry foe deliver them
that trust Thy mighty power to save,
and give them vict’ry o’er the grave.

This Sunday celebrates the second Sunday in Advent, anticipating the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ. In this time of the year we look back to his first coming, and look forward to his second coming, at the end of the age.

O come, Thou Wisdom, from on high,
and order all things far and nigh;
to us the path of knowledge show,
and teach us in her ways to go

This pre-Christmas time celebrates the expectation of the Messiah as king. This season is both the beginning of the church year by directing our thoughts to Christ’s first coming in the flesh, and the culmination of the church year by anticipating our Lord’s second coming in glory.

In some more liturgical churches you may see the color purple prominently displayed to symbolize royalty and penitence in preparation for the coming of the King. A five-candled wreath is also used, at church and in the home, to mark off the weeks of expectation until Messiah comes.