making space for advent

Advent begins this Sunday, December 2. For the past few years both Advent and Lent have become meaningful seasons in my yearly rhythm of life. Observing the church calendar was not part of my church tradition, so a lot of this is new to me. I enjoy taking time out to listen to Scripture and reflect on the four main themes of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Last year I even purchased an Advent wreath.

I have been unable to find one universal order for the four themes of Advent. The theme of hope usually starts off the season on the first week and joy is typically the theme of the pink candle on the third Sunday (Rose Rejoicing Sunday). However, love and peace seem to be used interchangeably on the second and fourth Sundays.

I hope to regularly blog on the themes of Advent this Christmas. I would love to hear any resources or traditions that are a part of your own season of Advent. The following summary of Advent is taken from an online article, The Season of Advent: Anticipation and Hope by Dennis Bratcher. The entire article can be found on the web site: www.crivoice.org/cyadvent.html.

“The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent. Thus, Advent is far more than simply marking a 2,000 year old event in history. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to God. That is a process in which we now participate, and the consummation of which we anticipate. Scripture reading for Advent will reflect this emphasis on the Second Advent, including themes of accountability for faithfulness at His coming, judgment on sin, and the hope of eternal life.

In this double focus on past and future, Advent also symbolizes the spiritual journey of individuals and a congregation, as they affirm that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today, and that He will come again in power. That acknowledgment provides a basis for Kingdom ethics, for holy living arising from a profound sense that we live "between the times" and are called to be faithful stewards of what is entrusted to us as God’s people. So, as the church celebrates God’s inbreaking into history in the Incarnation, and anticipates a future consummation to that history for which "all creation is groaning awaiting its redemption," it also confesses its own responsibility as a people commissioned to "love the Lord your God with all your heart" and to "love your neighbor as yourself."

This web site also includes daily scripture readings from the Book of Common Prayer. The readings include Old Testament passages from the Psalms and prophets, a passage from one of the Gospels, and a passage from a New Testament epistle. (Daily Scripture Readings for Advent: http://www.crivoice.org/daily.html)

As we enter into this Christmas season of Advent, I pray it is marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation, of longing, and of HOPE in Jesus and His Kingdom!