We
begin the season of Advent
Advent was the last season to be officially added to
the church calendar, in about 600 AD. It was made the first season of
the church year because it begins the story of the events of
Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. Advent always includes four Sundays
before Christmas, this year (2007) beginning on
December 2, 2007. Originally, in
the Eastern Church, Advent focused on the Annunciation (when the angels told Mary that she would bear a son); but in the
West it came to concern the first Coming at the Nativity, the future
Coming at the end of time, and the present coming, through grace, to
the hearts of men. Thus the themes of consciousness of the coming
judgment and of joyful expectation have shaped our observance of
Advent for centuries. Our Advent wreath candles, symbolizing the
coming of the Light of the world, are to remind us of these themes. It
has often been customary to have one rose-colored candle to symbolize
joyful expectation. At St. George’s, we use Sarum (Salisbury Cathedral) blue, honoring the Virgin Mary who obediently
anticipated the Incarnation, in four candles, showing unbroken progress toward
the coming of the Light.
Advent is a time of spiritual preparation, but is
not as penitential a season as Lent. It is a time for calm and
thoughtfulness before the hustle and bustle of preparation for
Christmas.
The
Service of Lessons and Carols
It is our custom
to have a service of Lessons and Carols on the third Sunday in Advent
(although this year we have opted for Christmas Lessons and Carols
instead, on December 30, 2007). In this service we choose scripture readings, hymns, and anthems to show, as one
person put it, “the loving purposes of God as seen through the
windows and words of the Bible.” This service, which originated in
England at Christmas, 1880, has now been broadcast by radio and TV for
more than 70 years and is a Christmas must for families and churches
worldwide. The service with Advent music rather than Christmas carols
is often held, and is most compelling as a preparation for the coming
of Christ. Don’t miss it!
Advent
factoids
-
The
advent candles have been given several meanings. The candle for
1Advent is most often called “Anticipation
and Hope.”
-
Decorating with greens traditionally begins in
Advent: “the
hanging of the greens.”
-
In Australia, where lighting candles doesn’t seem
right in midsummer, the Southern Cross has been used as an Advent
wreath: four of its stars are lit in Advent and the 5th on Christmas
Eve.
-
Because Advent is an opportunity to reconnect with what is deep and holy, many churches find the liturgical element of silence to be especially appropriate during this season.
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