Many cannot wait to put up the Christmas tree before the leftover Thanksgiving turkey is gone. Have you been hearing Christmas music ad nauseam? Did you even know that there is another Christian season of observance that takes place before December 25th? I am all about the entire celebration of the Birth of Christ, However, as an Anglican, I must first observe Advent. Advent is a season of contemplation, repentance, and eager expectation that takes place leading up Christmas. The Season of Advent is very much like the Season of Lent, which proceeds Easter. They are closely related, both are a time for reflection, fasting or abstinence (feasting is coming). Both times to repent for our sinfulness. They are both times for hopeful expectation. Advent and Lent are sort of the calm before the storm. The celebration is right around the corner! Dude, don’t rush it!
Advent 101
Not everyone celebrates Advent, and I think that is a shame. They are missing out on some of the Joy and deeper meaning of Christmas. Nearly everyone has heard of or seen an Advent Calendar or Advent Wreath. For the unenlightened, there is a great primer on Advent that can be found on Anglican Pastor. The post tells us that “Advent comes from the Latin adventus which means coming or arrival” and it is the beginning of the Christian calendar year. During Advent, we observe with expectation, the arrival of the Baby Jesus, but also the second “arrival” of Jesus Christ. As foretold, this is when Jesus comes on the clouds and will judge the living and the dead, ushering in a new Heaven on Earth. Advent occurs over four Sundays prior to Christmas Day. Each of those weeks reflects upon a different theme. Advent 101 continues…
Prepare and Wait
There are many likenesses between the Jews of ancient times waiting and preparing for the arrival of the promised Messiah, and the Christians of modern times who are anxiously awaiting the return of the Redeemer. We study and they studied the words of the Prophets, particularly John the Baptist who gave God’s people their revelations of the word of God as He had revealed His words to them. For both groups there was/is Hope of the arrival. There was/is preparation for the arrival. All should have been reflective and repentant in making their hearts ready to receive the Promised One, the greatest Gift of all.
There has been and always will be great Joy and Rejoicing of the Christian Soul when Christ comes into this world and into our hearts as well as an overwhelming feeling of Love as the coming of our LORD is made known to our longing hearts. Advent reminds us that the time is not yet. The time of great joy and celebration is coming. Prepare and wait. Sing O Come, O Come Emanuel, and Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus! Think about the words. The time is near.
Dude, Don’t Rush It!
Modern society is in such a hurry to commercialize Christmas and Easter that the celebration starts way too early, dulling suspense and pregnant expectation. Again, I love the festiveness of the seasons, but really, aren’t we just a little burned out on Christmas by the time it does arrive on the calendar. The Christmas season according to many religious traditions does not begin until Christmas Eve. Then there are the Twelve Days of Christmas ending in “Little Christmas” celebrating the Wise Men’s arrival in Bethlehem. This is when many will take down the Christmas tree and all the decorations, marking the true end to the Christmas celebration. If you start the celebration too soon (and the celebration should be a big one, if only in your heart) you might miss out on taking in all the beauty and promise, all the wonder that Christmas truly holds. Dude, don’t rush it!
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Collect for Week Two of Advent
Anglican Book of Common Prayer
