Advent teaching ---- Advent I

(At part of our congregation's celebration of Advent this year, I decided to add a moment of "teaching" at the start of the service. This blog entry is an approximation of what was said, based on my faulty memory and my wife's notes.)

"How many shopping days are left until Christmas?" (Answer from Opa John: "Who cares?")

This year, the season of Advent is as long as it can get since Christmas Day is a Sunday. It is a time of preparation, not of shopping. "Advent" comes from the Latin and means "Entry." The season celebrates the entry of Christ into our world in (at least) three ways - his entry into creation at Bethlehem over 2000 years ago, his entry into our hearts daily, and finally, his return in what we call the Second Coming, whenever and however that will be.

The celebration of Advent can be traced to almost 1500 years ago, when it was a preparatory fast before the festival of the Nativity of our Lord. (That's Christmas in Church-talk.) The fast is still kept in some strict monastic communities and in the Eastern Christian Churches. Across the board, our celebration of Advent includes prayers, readings, and hymns that reflect the longing of the Hebrew people for the long-awaited Messiah. So the themes often take us to the end of all things and to the desire for God's Kingdom, whether by the Hebrew people or by the Church awaiting the return of Jesus. Some of the music is ancient and often in a minor key to reflect this desire for fulfillment. This longing is presented to us in readings, music, and ritual action...

                                                     .... like the lighting of the Advent wreath.

Order for Lighting the Advent Wreath for the First Sunday of Advent

P. God of love, may this wreath and its light remind us that Jesus came to save us from our sin. Bless this wreath and all who gather around it as we prepare our hearts to celebrate Christmas. Come, Lord Jesus, bring hope, faith, and life to our world.

C.  Amen.

P. Dear Jesus, you are the hope in our messy world. This Advent, help us slow down, listen to your voice, and focus on what’s really important. We place our hope in you as we prepare our hearts to celebrate your birth on Christmas.

C.  Amen.

All.  Joyous light of glory of the immortal Father,
   Heavenly, holy, blessed Jesus Christ,
   We have come this day
   And we look to this rising light in a dark season.
   We sing to God, the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.
    You are worthy of being praised with pure voices forever.
    O Son of God, O Giver of Light,
   The universe proclaims your glory. Amen.

(The hymn, "People, Look East", verse 1, follows.)

(The prayer - "Joyous light of glory" - is an edited variation of the ancient Christian prayer, "Phos Hilaron", a Greek prayer from as early as 300 AD. It is still used by many liturgical churches at evening prayer/vespers.)