The wreath with its candles signals hope, love, joy, peace. The hanging of the greenery denotes life and creation and wonderment.
They are among symbols that provide a framework for Advent, the beginning of the Christian year and the four weeks leading up to Christmas. Right now, as a community, Christians are preparing for the birth of a child, the coming of the Savior. And, ultimately, the day when that Savior returns to rule the world."It's a major time in the life of the church," said the Rev. Dave Barnes, who is interim pastor at First Congregational Church.
The traditional advent candles represent different aspects of the faith pilgrimage, he said. Most churches use purple candles or multiple purple and one rose-colored candle.
Episcopalians use blue to remind them of creation. The purple favored by most churches symbolizes "watching," in keeping with the meaning of Advent.
Advent is taken from the Latin word adventus, which means "coming."
On the first week, the first candle is lit; on the second week, that and a new candle are lit. And so it goes until Christmas Eve, when the bright, large white candle in the center is lit. That "Christ candle" carries the joy and hope of the world in it.
"The idea is a light is coming into the world, much like the opening passages of John's gospel," said Jeff Sells of the Episcopal diocese.
And while traditions vary slightly from church to church, the meaning of advent is the same.
The holy advent season is not unlike Lent in its purpose, said Sells. Both are times of spiritual preparation. While Lent focuses on personal sacrifice and introspection, during advent the community of believers prepare as a body for the coming of their Savior.
Local clergy are tailoring their messages to the season. The Rev. William Alexander, Westvale Presbyterian Church, is in the middle of a series called "Come Home for Christmas." Last week, he spoke of coming home to hope. This Sunday, members of the congregation will be welcomed home to love.
"Advent is a wonderful time of anticipation when we know we'll be given the presence of Christ in our midst," said Westvale's evangelism coordinator, Shawn Peterson.
He'll be the Christ of two eras: The child who was born in the past and the Christ who has promised to return at some unknown time in the future.
Cindy Sinclair, a member of Grace Lutheran Church, can't get enough of the message. "It's all leading up to the promise that God made to us as sinners to send us a Savior. This prepares us and helps us focus on why we celebrate Christmas. It actually helps me go on every day. Sometimes the world feels pretty cruel.
"With advent, we think of hope and promise. It's a new and fresh start every day."
How do you prepare for such a momentous event? The Rev. Tim Brandt, associate pastor of Grace Lutheran, says it's a matter of prayer and repentance.
"It's not like you're skulking around and whipping yourself," he said. "But it involves change. It's about a heart that is honest and prepared to receive him, as well as a confession of shortcomings and receiving forgiveness.
While most Protestant Christian churches base their individual services on certain traditions, the Catholic Church has incorporated the season into its liturgy.
Like most holy seasons, advent brings a lot of people out to Mass.
"It helps me focus on the real meaning of Christmas," said Dee Rowland. "It's nice to get away from the hustle and bustle, the materialist approach we've all been seduced by. It's commemoration of the birth of Christ and the fact that he became human -- in a very humble style. For us."