Advent is the beginning of the liturgical calendar for the Christian church. In the United States, Advent usually commences on the Sunday after Thanksgiving and continues until Christmas Eve. Many churches celebrate the season of Advent with an “Advent Wreath” that has four candles on the outer circle and one large candle in the center. The four outer candles are each lit on successive Sundays to honor those who played a significant role in the Christmas story: the Old Testament prophets, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds. The large candle in the center, called the Christ candle, is lit on Christmas Eve to celebrate the marvelous miracle of the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem.
Advent and the Masculine Adventure
The four candles on the Advent Wreath (see example above) can be seen to correspond with the four masculine archetypes that have been observed in many cultures throughout the ages. Those four archetypes and their corresponding representations on the Advent Wreath are shown in the diagram below:
Some writers, including John Eldredge, have argued that men move through these archetypes in progressive stages through their lives. Other writers, including Robert Bly, have held that men should strive to integrate and express these archetypes throughout all areas and stages of their lives.
Others have similarly interpreted symbols of the Christian faith as depicting these masculine archetypes. For example, a Christian men’s organization known as The Crucible Project uses the Jerusalem Cross (see example below) in just such a way. The four quadrants of the Jerusalem Cross each represent either the Warrior, the Lover, the King, or the Sage. Just as the larger candle in the center of the Advent Wreath represents the birth of Jesus Christ, the larger cross at the center of the Jerusalem Cross can be taken to represent the embodiment of all four of the masculine archetypes in Jesus Christ, who was both Son of God and Son of Man.
Masculine Adventure in the Christmas Story
The Warrior archetype is exemplified by men who exhibit strength, courage, and sacrifice by serving a cause that is greater than themselves and by setting boundaries. The Warrior seeks clarity and integrity in his interactions. In the Christmas story, Joseph reminds us of the Warrior because he sought clarity and integrity in his relationship with Mary while he was betrothed to her and because he courageously led his family on their long journey.
The Lover archetype is exemplified by men who exhibit sensuality and sensitivity by connecting with the people and places around them. The Lover seeks beauty and intimacy in his interactions. Mary reminds us of the Lover because she experienced a relationship with God in the most intimate way imaginable and because of the way that she both praised and pondered her relationship with God from deep within her heart.
The Sage archetype is exemplified by men who exhibit wisdom and spirituality by connecting with both the internal and the eternal dimensions. The Sage seeks after truth and knowledge in his interactions. The Old Testament prophets remind us of the Sage because they were able to hear God speak to them about the coming Christ and they spoke the truth to those who did not always want to hear it. The Sage archetype also shows up in the figures of Simeon and Anna, whom Mary and Joseph met at the temple in Jerusalem when Jesus was circumcised and whom confirmed the divinity of their Baby Boy. The Sage archetype also shows up in the Christmas story with the wise men who followed the Star of Bethlehem to bring Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
The King archetype is exemplified by men who exhibit authority and power by creating order and community and by leading and blessing the people within those communities. The King seeks after peace and joy in his interactions. The shepherds in the Christmas story remind us of the King because of their responsibility to both lead and feed the sheep that were under their care. The shepherds remind us that all men, no matter how humble their station in life might be, can have kingly roles and responsibilities that must be fulfilled. The King archetype also shows up in the angels who delivered God’s joyful message of good news and peace on earth.
The Christ candle reminds us that Jesus Christ was and is the perfect reflection and representation of the character of God and also the perfect embodiment of the masculine archetypes. The Christ candle can also remind us that the child is always at the center of our masculine journeys, not only the physical and spiritual children that we may father in our lives but also the child which we once were and the child which we must become again in order to fully enter into the Kingdom of Heaven that Christ created for us.
Masculine Adventure in Your Story
Following Christ’s example, every man is called to fully experience life as a Warrior, a Lover, a King, and a Sage. Perhaps God has given us the season of “advent” to give us a picture of the masculine “adventure” he has predestined for us. Just as advent celebrates the season of waiting for the revelation of Christ, so to we can celebrate that the masculine adventure will answer the deep longing of all creation, which eagerly awaits for the sons of God to be revealed in us.
The link below contains a meditation that gives one example of how you and your family can celebrate both advent and your own masculine adventure this Christmas.
Masculine Meditations for Advent
Pilgrim Age 
Are you part of the Crucible Project?
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Yes. Initiated in June 2013.
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