Royal Advent Color

My favorite tablescape this holiday season takes its cue from advent candles. In churches and homes all over the world, Christians mark the weeks leading to Christmas by placing  four candles in an advent wreath. The word advent is used to mark the coming of something important, like the advent of the mobile phone. However, in the Christian calendar advent marks something infinitely more important--the coming of God into the world! 

"Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel, which means, God with us"
(Matthew 1:23).

Advent season begins with a "greening" of the home or church a month before Christmas, allowing four Sundays to light each of the four advent candles. Three of the candles are purple. Why purple?

First, the color symbolizes penitence. When I think that God had to become man to save me from my selfish and ugly nature, I feel sorry. This repentance is a proper preparation for welcoming the coming Savior and King. Which leads us to a second reason three of the advent candles are purple. Purple was worn by royalty. How appropriate that purple marks the coming of the King of Kings!

Let us each take time this advent to thank the Almighty God for being willing to leave the beauty and peace of heaven and be born into a stable in dusty Palestine where the tyrannical monarch, Herod, would murder children in his quest to retain power. Having a thankful heart is proper preparation for celebrating Christ's birth and is represented by the pink candle which stands for joy. 

On my Christmas table this year, I will place a gift on each plate.

Inside each guest will find a miniature creche to remind them of the greatest gift ever given to us--a Savior.

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. And angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord…You will find the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger" (Luke 2:8-12).

Christmas is a Holy Day for Christians, a day we celebrate our royal God's humble coming. 

"Thanks be unto God for His indescribable gift" (2 Cor. 9:15).