After Halloween, stores transform into a Christmas wonderland complete with an endless assortment of advent calendars. The only limit seems to be your imagination with 24 gifts of tea, chocolate, socks, or even dog treats! Though these novelty countdowns can be fun, there is a disconnect from the true meaning of advent.

The word advent comes from the Latin word adventus which means coming or arrival. The idea started around the 4th century as a season of fasting and preparation – pointing believers to the hope of Christ. Over time, it has become a four-week journey of preparing our hearts for the celebration of Christ’s birth.

During the medieval period, many of the symbols we recognize today were introduced, including wreaths, candles, and readings. Although the popular 24-door calendars didn’t start until the early 1900s.

Advent can help us slow down and focus on the true meaning of the season through a time of reflection and anticipation.

The message of advent connects with the heart of Teen Challenge Canada. It reminds us that Christ entered a dark world to shine a light of hope and redemption. Our clients come to us from a dark place that feels hopeless, but that same light shines at Teen Challenge – offering our clients the promise of a changed life and hope for the future.

Each week focuses on a theme that is meaningful to our clients.

For those caught in the cycle of addiction, many have lost hope that change is possible. However, we know that true hope is found in the forgiveness and grace of Christ. During the first week of advent, we are focused on the hope that came wrapped in cloth and was laid in a manger. Jesus gives hope to the hopeless.

Our faith-based recovery program provides hope, purpose, and restored relationships through a new identity in Christ.

A life of addiction is often a life of chaos – volatile relationships, erratic behaviour, and a lot of uncertainty. The most common reaction from our clients when walking into Teen Challenge is a sense of peace. Our centres provide a safe space with structure, but that peace ultimately comes from the Prince of Peace and understanding your identity in Christ.

As the second week of advent focuses on peace, at Teen Challenge Canada, we understand how God’s gift of peace so many years ago still touches us today.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

During the third week of advent, we turn our focus to joy. As our clients walk through challenging self-reflection and start to understand who God is through our spiritual formation classes, we start to see a change. As their confidence in their identity in Christ builds, so does their joy. What a joy for our staff to witness this transformation! This Christmas we celebrate the joy of deliverance and of salvation.

Because of Him, we are set free.

In the final week of advent, we reflect on Christ’s love for us. Because we live in a fallen world, many times we are disappointed, hurt, or scarred by those we expected to love us. It can be difficult to accept God’s love when an earthly example has failed us.

The comprehensive recovery model at Teen Challenge Canada helps our clients understand how deep God’s love is and start to build or rebuild healthy, loving relationships.

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 John 4:10-11

As we move through the season of advent, consider how you can ponder each week’s theme and apply it to your own life. Will you slow down this season and move beyond the windows on the calendar?