The season of Advent is the beginning of the church calendar. It comprises the four weeks leading up to Christmas. The Latin "adventus" is the translation of the Greek word "parousia" which means "arrival." This is the season of hope in anticipation of the birth of Christ. The four candles are an anceint way of keeping time; lighting a candle for each week of Advent. The liturgical color for Advent has been either purple or blue. Blue, the color of hope, is the preferred color in the Lutheran church as purple is reserved for the more penitential season of Lent.

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This Advent, St. Andrew's is intentionally focusing on immigrants and refugees. Jesus' family had to flee a violent situation by crossing actual borders and facing bodily danger. Many people around the world face this real situation today - we specifically welcome those who have been displaced from other spiritual communities. This is God's house, a place of refuge, a place where we greet one another in Jesus' name.