Advent
November 29, 2009 by Lillie
Today is the First Sunday in Advent, the first day in the liturgical season of Advent, which is the beginning of the Christian year.
As Father Chip Harper writes in his liturgy lesson for this Sunday:
Our Fathers in the Faith have chosen Scriptures accenting three Advents: the Advent of Christ’s physical birth in Bethlehem, the Advent of Christ coming into our own lives, and the Advent of his Second Coming at the history’s end.
We will begin the service today with blessing and lighting the first candle on the Advent wreath. Each Sunday in Advent, another candle will be lit, and on Christmas Eve, the Christ candle, the large white candle in the center will be lit. Everything about the Advent wreath has meaning, just as the entire season is filled with meaning.
In all the rush of the season, it’s easy for the real meaning of Christmas to be overpowered by shopping, partying, eating, and having fun. Observing Advent with extra daily Bible readings, an Advent wreath, attending additional worship services, and spending more time in prayer can help us draw closer to God and remember the real reason for “the holiday season.”
ALMIGHTY God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal, through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever. Amen. (Collect for the First Sunday in Advent, 1928 Book of Common Prayer)
I’ve created Scripture/prayer cards that have a Bible verse on one side and a prayer on the other. You can download a PDF file and print the cards on your own computer printer. Reading one of the cards can create a brief moment of devotion in a busy day.
The download of the cards is my gift to you with the prayer that we both focus on the meaning of the season this Advent … and prepare for the coming of the Lord.
We don’t have Advent candles at my church. But those do look nice.
Bluestocking,
My church follows a lturgical tradition from the early days of the church (though I don’t think the Advent wreath goes back that far). I appreciate our rector posting weekly liturgy lessons to explain the meaning of some of the symbolism and traditions that may not be obvious at first glance.
We had also lighted the first candle of the Advent wreath on our church. Yuletide season has now begun.
.-= Jeremy Craven@Homes in Brooklyn, New York´s last blog ..Law firm partner, environmental researcher grab Brooklyn condo =-.
Jeremy,
I like the tradition of Advent and an Advent wreath to help focus on the reason for the season.
The celebration of advent seems like it is less common now than it was when I was a kid. I’m glad that in your own blog-centric way you are bringing it back.
.-= Spot@movies´s last blog ..The 10 Best Submarine Movies of All Time =-.
Spot,
That’s an interesting observation. For me, it’s the opposite. I grew up in a non-liturgical church and didn’t even know what Advent was until I was an adult.
Its nice to be reminded of the real meaning of advent, its all become very comercial in these modern times.
Jez,
We really have to make a concerted effort to focus on the reason for the season. It’s far too easy to get wrapped up in shopping, partying, visiting …
Hello Lillie,
It seems I keep coming back to your blog
. Honestly, I still don’t know for sure what Advent really means. I don’t think I have this tradition in my church. I’m Greek Orthodox. Either way, I haven’t been to church in a while, and just the other day I was thinking how much I miss it, and how lonely I’m feeling. But I’m definitely going to church this Christmas, it gives me a peace of mind and a feeling of homeness I rarely get by myself these times.
Jenny,
I’m glad you keep coming back to my blog.
Basically Advent is a time to prepare for the coming of the Lord—when He was born in history on earth, the birth we celebrate at Christmas; when He was born in our individual hearts, when we accepted Him as our Lord and Saviour; and when He comes again with glory as the Bible says He will in the last days.
Like Lent to prepare for Easter, it gives us a reason to do some more personal devotions, perhaps return to church if we haven’t been or attend an extra service if we do go reguarly … just basically focus on God and His Word.
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