Local churches observe four-week Advent season leading to Christmas

For Cynthia Cabell, the four-week Advent season that leads up to Christmas is a time that allows Christians to deepen their understanding and enjoyment of the celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth.

“You want to celebrate his birth and participate,” she said. “It’s a wonderful, glorious thing that has happened, and as a Christian you want to be part of it.”

Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, and churches of most denominations hold a special candle-lighting ceremony during the Sunday service.

A different candle is lit each week and placed in an Advent wreath displayed prominently in the church.

The congregation of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Kinston will observe the lighting of the third week’s candle during this morning’s Mass.

Church parishioner Patricia Keesee said Friday that the wreath, made of evergreen branches, symbolizes the continuous nature of the spiritual life.

“It’s never-ending,” she said. “There’s no beginning, there’s no end to a circle of life. In the end, when we die, it’s just a new beginning for us.”

There are five candles in an Advent wreath. The first four symbolize — in order — Hope, the Way of Christ, Joy and Peace.

The first, second and fourth candles are traditionally purple and the third candle, lit today, is traditionally pink.

The fifth candle, call the “Christ candle,” is white and is placed at the center of the wreath and is lit on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, depending on the congregation.

“White represents the new light in the world, which is Jesus’ birth,” Keesee said.

The congregation of Kinston’s First Baptist Church, where Cabell serves as secretary, will also observe the lighting of the Joy candle today.

“If you understand the purpose of all the candles, I think that helps your understanding of the season, and it all ties in with the birth and your (personal) relationship with Christ,” she said.

David Anderson can be reached at 252-559-1077 or danderson@freedomenc.com.