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+ 

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