1st Sunday of Advent
The beginning of the church year and the start of the waiting period before Christmas.
Bibelsk grunnlag
The texts revolve around the expectation of the Messiah. Jesus' entry into Jerusalem (Matt 21:1-11) is used as an image of his coming. Isaiah's prophecies about the Prince of Peace and the shoot from the stump of Jesse (Isa 9:6-7, 11:1-10). The psalms' cry: "Lift up your heads, you gates! The King of glory comes in" (Ps 24). Paul's exhortation: "The hour has come for you to wake from sleep" (Rom 13:11-12).
Betydning
Advent means "coming" — the waiting period reminds us of Israel's longing for the Messiah and the church's waiting for Christ's return. The double perspective: we look back on Jesus' first coming and forward to his final coming. The call to watch and be ready applies not only to the historical event but also to the fundamental attitude of Christian life.
GT-forbindelser
Isaiah 9 and 11 about the child who is born and the shoot from Jesse. Zechariah 9:9 about the humble King riding on a donkey. Psalm 24 about the King of glory entering through the gates. The prophets' longing for God's salvation: "Shout for joy, daughter of Zion! See, your king comes to you" (Zech 9:9).
Liturgisk kontekst
The first day of the church year. Advent lasts four Sundays. The liturgical color is purple (repentance and preparation). The Advent wreath with four candles is lit progressively. The first Sunday has a royal character — Christ as the awaited King.
Historie
Advent originated in Gaul in the 400s, originally as a fast before Christmas similar to Lent before Easter. Pope Gregory I (around 600) established four Sundays of Advent. In Lutheran tradition, Advent has retained its double focus: Christ's birth and return.