Advent
The start of our new church year, begins with the four weeks of Advent, a time of anticipation for the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas. Advent is a time of reflection and preparation. We prepare our hearts and homes for the new birth of Christ that comes each year when we let it and we prepare our lives for a second coming of Christ, which for many is as mysterious as heaven is compared to earth.
Liturgical
Colors You will notice that in this season we use the liturgical color blue. Advent Wreath You may also notice the Advent Wreath with four candles: Three are blue and one is pink. The third Sunday in advent is called Rose Sunday and we celebrate joy. It is a reprieve from the contemplative nature of the other three weeks of Advent. On the first Sunday of Advent, we light the first candle which represents Hope. The Second Sunday, we light the candle for Hope and a new candle for Peace. The third Sunday, we light the pink colored candle for Joy with the candles for Hope and Peace. The fourth Sunday, we light Hope, Peace, Joy, and the fourth candle for Love. On Christmas Eve, we light the four advent candles and the white Christ candle in the middle. The wreath itself brings greens that represent life in the midst of winter, when all things are dying.
In years past, the liturgical color was purple, like lent and the liturgy took on a solemn tone as well. Today, the tone is more of hope, expectation, and anticipation. We keep the Alleluias, but the service gives space for reflection. I am hoping your home life will afford you the same.
Practices
There are many ways to enter into an advent practice of waiting, anticipating, and reflecting; with classes and liturgically in our worship. I offer one more option for you to try out. The Advent Calendar. You can buy any number of advent calendars in the stores. Many of them contain chocolate. It is definitely a fun way to mark the days until Christmas.
Here is a different kind of advent calendar. Advent is broken into 3 weeks, 21 days. If you begin Sunday, there is something for every day. If you begin tomorrow - December 1st, you have a few days to fudge a bit. The theme of this calendar is Inventory: Making room for the gift of Jesus' coming.
The first week of Advent asks you to take inventory of your stuff. It invites you declutter your home of stuff - not just the stuff you do not want - but more importantly - the stuff you do not need that others could use. December 3rd through December 9th.
The second week of Advent asks you to take inventory of your time. It invites you to ask God what you could be doing to bring peace in your life rather than running behind always and feeling that way. December 10th through December 16th.
The third week of Advent asks you to take inventory of your relationships. You are invited to take stock and determine if there is repair to be done, forgiveness to be granted, love to be deepened. December 17th through December 24th.
You can find the first week of the calendar on our blog. It will be a post entitled Advent 2023, Taking Inventory of our Lives - Week One. The second will be like it Advent 2023, Taking Inventory of our Lives - Week Two. The third will be Advent 2023, Taking Inventory of our Lives - Week Three. And we will have a fourth blog post entitled Christmas 2023, Space for Jesus.
I give this to you, in faith and love, Rev. Mary
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