From the Pastor’s Desk – December 2017

What do you know about Advent?

Advent comes from the Latin word, adventus, meaning “coming”. It is a season to prepare for the coming of Christ in various meanings:
1. the promised coming of the Messiah to the Jews
2. the coming of Jesus being born in Bethlehem
3. the promised return of the risen Christ in final victory
4. the continual coming of Christ into the lives and hearts of believers.

Advent begins each year on the 4th Sunday before Christmas Day, and it ends on Christmas Eve, which marks the beginning of the church year.

The color for Advent has traditionally been purple. The United Methodist Book of Worship upholds the traditional color of purple for Advent, signifying penitence and royalty; but it also allows blue, the color of hope.

What is the Advent Wreath? This wreath is a circular garland of evergreen branches representing eternity. Set on the branches are four candles, usually three purple candles and one pink candle. A more modern tradition is to place a white candle in the center of the wreath. These candles represent the coming of the light of Christ into the world.

While the Advent Wreath—with its four candles— did bring light to churches, its purpose was not to illuminate the interior—as much as to symbolize the coming of Christ. This wreath began in the 16th century, the time of the Protestant reformer Martin Luther. It continually reminds us of whom we are called to be as followers of Jesus. Catholic tradition states that the four candles, representing the four weeks of Advent, each stand for 1,000 years, to total the 4,000 years from the time of Adam and Eve until the birth of the Savior.

During Advent Season, a particular Advent candle is lighted each week. The lighting of each candle symbolizes: 1st candle-Hope or Expectation; 2nd candle-Love; 3rd candle-Joy; and 4th candle-Purity

The Christ candle is lighted on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, reminding Christians that “Jesus is the light of the world”.

The Intrusion of Christmas

Advent is a season rich in tradition, symbolism, art, music, and liturgical practice. It has its own unique themes, as well as those that point the way to Christmas. Yet, we annually confront the pressures and questions of:
1. “Why can’t we put up the Christmas tree in the sanctuary on the first Sunday of Advent?”
2. “Why can’t we sing Christmas carols in early December?”

The answer, of course, is that…to do so allows Christmas to intrude. It allows the themes, practices, spirituality, history, traditions, symbols, art and music of one season to displace those of another.

We lose the richness and benefit of experiencing the promise, longing, hope, and expectation of Advent. The world, television, and shopping malls have done all they can to convince us that Advent does not matter; it has no place in our culture. Many of us have come to accept that for our church as well; however, our faith teaches us something very different!