Advent - Already!?

As most of you know, I am not a fan of rushing seasons, especially when it comes to Christmas and Easter.  Our secular culture has put us into a fast-forward mentality, anticipating what is next before we even have a chance to enjoy what is.  Not only is this not healthy, but also it can be detrimental to our spiritual formation, especially when we cannot recognize an encounter with the mystery of God in the here and now. 
Ironically, it may seem that I am “rushing” the season of Advent by starting it 3 weeks early, however the intention is to expand our experience of Advent rather than rush it. I offer a reflection from The Very Rev. William Petersen, PhD, DD, founder and convener of the Advent Project Seminar in the North American Academy of Liturgy.  He introduced the 7-seven week Advent in 2011 and invited churches to try the practice.
Why Expand Advent?
Two principal reasons come to mind. First, the churches long ago lost the Advent season to what I call the “Christmas culture” of our society. We all know that Christmas decorations and gift items begin to appear in all kinds of stores way before Hallowe’en. After October 31 the manifestation becomes complete! By the time the new church year begins a month later in December with Advent I, the churches are tempted to make the season exclusively a four-week journey to Bethlehem. But that focus is only one pole (and secondary at that!) of the Advent season. The primary one is beginning the new church year with a steady look at the “end times,” that is, at the goal of fulfillment of all the implications of Christ’s resurrection for humanity and, indeed, the entire creation. This is usually called the “kingdom” or the “reign of God.” That emphasis is intended to give the beginning of the annual cycle of the liturgical year an emphasis that will help Christians to engage ever more deeply in Christ’s mission of peace, justice, and the integrity of creation. Having these things firmly in heart, mind, and will we may be able more authentically to enter into the yearly round from Bethlehem to the Passion, Pentecost, and the celebration of All Saints that concludes the year. Starting Advent in November would, at least, give the primary focus of the season a chance before we are all overcome by carols in Mall music.
The second reason for an expanded season has to do with setting before us in our worship, rooted in Scripture, an alternative and, I think, more authentic vision of the “end times” or the “reign of God” than those otherwise so effectively media-touted ones offered in fundamentalist, millenialist, or rapturist versions.
What will change? Very little. The readings for an expanded Advent season are in place as the ones we already hear in our three-year cycle. Listen closely this year and see if, in fact, there is not a change in the atmosphere and tone of the lessons after All Saints’ Day really concludes the long season of Pentecost. There will be, of course, some musical emphases that appear in hymns specifically for Advent. We will be using one verse of “O Come, o come Emmanuel” as we light the Advent wreath candles that sets the theme for the day. The Prayers of the People may be more thematically oriented as well. We will be using blue on the altar for the first 3 weeks and then changing to purple for the next 4 weeks.
I hope this liturgical experience will fulfill a spiritual need to be more reflective in the moment rather than distracted by our busyness.  I look forward to hearing your reflections on this journey.
In Christ,

Rev. Valerie+ 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Give God the Glory

Reflections on Chapters 12-14 of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles Years ago, I had a grandparent chargingly ask me if it was OK for her to be proud of her granddaughter, because she had been taught, “Pride goeth before the fall.”   I assured her that being proud of her grandchild was not a sin when the feeling was offered in thanksgiving of the accomplishment and not boosting up one’s own ego. “Look at what I have done,” has been the down fall of many people because they neglect or forget those that helped them achieve their goals. The Book of Acts shares story after story of the importance of acknowledging that all power and might comes from God, to whom we should offer our thanks and praise.   When our egos take over and we congratulate only ourselves for what we have done, we become idolatrous. Chapter 12 records an terrible story of King Herod’s response to the apostles.   He outright kills James and then arrests Peter, who is guarded by over 30 men. Yet, despite
Read more

A Christmas Poem

‘Twas a week before Christmas and all through the land The Church reminded us that the Savior’s birth was at hand. The season is not about the perfection of glitter But about a loving God who would not leave us bitter. And so God sent us the Son wrapped up like a present In the garb of our mortality, the human flesh of a peasant. The cookies may not be made, the decorations may not be hung, The cards may not be sent, the lights may not be strung. Yet let us all make the true preparations for the coming of our Savior And open our hearts and lives to the Lord’s loving favor. No more precious gift has ever been received. It is up to us to remind the world what we truly believe. Not in jolly old elves, talking snowmen or reindeer in flight But in God, who loves us with all of God's might. So stop for a moment and take a deep breath, As we await the Christ, the true conqueror of death. Let go of the need to fulfill a secular call to perfection
Read more

A Sloppy Track

Reflections on Acts of the Apostles Chapters 15-17 This past Saturday was the 144 th running of the Kentucky Derby.   As with all outdoor events, it is at the mercy of Mother Nature, and sometimes she doesn’t seem to care that the humans prefer sunny, dry weather.   However, a certain horse named Justified was the odds-on favorite to win if it was a sloppy track.   And indeed it was.   Rain poured down for most of the day and it didn’t stop by the time the big race was scheduled to start.   The track was a sloppy as I have ever seen a horse race track be.   Justified loved it – and won. It seems counter-intuitive to me that such adverse conditions could led to victory.   What I would consider ideal conditions (sunny, warm but not hot, dry) was the complete opposite of what made Justified thrive.   The reality is that “ideal” conditions are rare – there is always something that is a bit sloppy or not exactly to our liking.   What is important is how we choose to act in those
Read more