What is Advent?
Advent? Isn’t that a Catholic thing? Do Disciples do that too?
On Sunday, November 27, Christians all around the world begin the season of Advent. Our congregation will be a part of that celebration. We will decorate our sanctuary and mark the event with a “Hanging of the Greens” service. The Beacon Class will light the first candle on the advent wreath. The service will explain the meaning that believers throughout history have assigned to the various symbols of our faith. Huge thanks to Debbie and Janice for all of their help in getting this service put together.
After all the busyness of the Thanksgiving holiday, for many people the Hanging of the Greens service marks the start of the Christmas season. While this makes sense, there is actually a little bit more going on: the season of Advent. While the Disciples of Christ have always been hesitant to make an idol of liturgical traditions, Advent is still a valuable prelude to Christmas. It forces us to slow down. It is helpful to not jump ahead too quickly.
(Video: First Presbyterian Church, Vero Beach)
Waiting for Christ’s coming, then and now
The English word advent comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming.” During these four weeks we will hear prophets proclaiming the coming of the Messiah. That promise helped sustain the people of Israel during their time of exile and subjugation at the hands of the Roman Empire. For us those same words of prophecy remind us Jesus’ promise to return. No matter how bleak the world looks at any given moment, Advent is a reminder of the fact that he is still coming.
Advent has been celebrated by Western Christians since the first millennium. Eastern Christians have a similar period they refer to as the Nativity Fast. Specific traditions vary by culture and era, but in every case it is a time of preparation. Sometimes it is penitential. Sometimes it is more celebratory. For us it is a little of both.
Praying through Advent
During this time I encourage you to spend a little more time in prayer. If you would like a companion in this journey, Partners in Prayer devotional booklets are available on the table at the rear of the sanctuary. Dig deep into Scripture to hear once more the promise of the prophets. Time spent prayerfully reading the Bible allows you to hear God speaking into your life and makes prayer a real conversation, rather than a monologue where we do all the talking and none of the listening.
Time spent in service to others can also be a form of prayer. Opportunities abound to volunteer during this Advent season. Get involved with Toys for Tots. Spend some time at the Stoddard County Gospel Mission. Help out with the Cookie Walk which raises money to provide food for the less fortunate in our community.
The book of Psalms was the hymnal and prayer book of the Hebrew people. Lifting up our voices in song is a way to pray that engages the whole body. Join our choir for the Christmas cantata on Sunday December 11. It is not too late to add your voices to the ensemble. Our gatherings on Wednesday night are not simply rehearsals, they are themselves a time of worship and prayer. If choir is not your thing, join us that night for Christmas caroling as we visit the shut-ins and nursing homes of our community.
How do you keep Advent?
More than anything, during this Advent season, I encourage you to slow down. Take a break from the rush and materialism of secular society’s misappropriation of the Christian message. Do something intentional which will help you prepare for Christ’s coming. There are so many distractions in our world. It can be difficult to use this time in the spiritual manner for which it was intended. It is certainly counter-cultural. However, it is certainly worth it. Christmas Day will mean far more after spending time preparing our hearts and lives to celebrate the coming of the newborn King.
Advent is our yearly reminder that the promise of Christ’s coming is just as real for us as it was for the people of long ago. I would love to hear how you intend to make this time of waiting more significant for you and your family.
