(see it:http://i-can-culture.blogspot.com/search/label/religion) that according to a 2014 study by the Pew Research Center, 70,6% of the American population identified themselves as Christians (46,5% of them attended to a variety of churches that could be considered Protestant and 20,8% professed Roman Catholic beliefs).
About those last ones.
They currently celebrate their Advent. Beginning the Church's liturgical year, Advent (from, "ad-venire" in Latin or "to come to") is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas.
The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and also to the anniversary of the Lord’s birth on Christmas.
The final days of Advent, from December 17 to December 24, focus particularly on our preparation for the celebrations of the Nativity of our Lord (Christmas).
Advent devotions including the Advent wreath, remind us of the meaning of the season.
The wreath, typically a circular garland of evergreen branches, is a symbol of eternity and unending love. Five candles are arranged on the wreath, and one is alighted each Sunday as a part of the Advent services. Each of the Advent Candle colors represents a specific element of spiritual readying for the celebration of Christmas.
Purple or Blue
Purple (or violet) has traditionally been the primary color of Advent, symbolizing repentance and fasting. Purple is also the color of royalty and the sovereignty of Christ, demonstrating anticipation of and reception of the coming King celebrated during Advent.
The first candle of the Advent Wreath, the Prophecy Candle or Candle of Hope, is purple.
The second, called the Bethlehem Candle or the Candle of Preparation, is also purple in color.
Likewise, the fourth Advent Candle color is purple.
It's called the Angel Candle or the Candle of Love.
Pink or Rose
Pink (or rose) is also one of the colors of Advent used during the third Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete Sunday in the Catholic Church. Pink or rose represents joy or rejoicing and reveals a shift in the season away from repentance and toward celebration.
The third Candle, named the Shepherd Candle or Candle of Joy, is pink in color.
White
White is the color of Advent representing purity and light. Christ is the sinless, spotless, pure Savior. He is the light come into a dark and dying world. Also, those who receive Jesus Christ as Savior are washed of their sins and made whiter than snow.
Lastly, the Christ Candle is the fifth Advent Candle, positioned in the center of the wreath. This Advent Candle's color is white.
Spiritually preparing by focusing on the colors of Advent in the weeks leading up to Christmas is a great way for Christian families to keep Christ the center of Christmas,
and for parents to teach their children the true meaning of Christmas.
So maybe you should give this a try and do your own simple Advent wreath?
You will be surprised at how enjoyable it may be.
Light your own candles, make an Advent resolution so that you enjoy your Christmas more than special dishes and gifts.
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