Meditations on the Advent Wreath

In this book career missionary Margaret H. Gaines shares her reflections on the origins and theological significance of the Advent Wreath, lessons that grew out of her 38 years of ministry in Aboud Village in Palestine. Divided into five chapters, this study takes the reader through the four Sundays of Advent, culminating in a reflection on Christmas Day. Identifying each Sunday, as well as Christmas Day, with a biblical text and reflection upon it the book focuses on the following: ‘The First Sunday of Advent – The Day Hope Was Born’; ‘The Second Sunday of Advent – There Shall Come a Star’; ‘The Third Sunday of Advent – Behold, the Virgin Shall Conceive and Bear a Son’; ‘The Fourth Sunday of Advent – Thou Shalt Call his Name Jesus’; ‘Christmas Day – Christ the Savior Is Born’. Gaines offers these reflections with the hope that it will spur every Christian family to establish its own Advent Wreath custom at Christmas ‘to balance the frenzy of gift giving, Santa, and bright lights on trees’ … to prepare ‘the heart, mind, and soul for the great religious event – the birth of the Christ Child.’