What season is it?
Have you ever woken up in a morning and thought what day is it? I have been wondering what season is it? As seasons go it is actually still Autumn. However, looking out my window the light coating of snow seems to whisper Winter. Every store I enter screams Commercial Christmas but according to the liturgical calendar it is Advent. The almost forgotten season of the church or liturgical calendar that I think is a great addition to December. A wonderful way to prepare and focus on the birth of the Jesus.
Advent is a time of preparation. Advent starts on the 4th Sunday before Christmas and ends at sundown on Christmas Eve. The length of advent is determined by what day of the week Christmas (December 25) falls. Advent ranges in length from 22 – 28 days. Counting down the days or acknowledging the Sundays of Advent is a great way to prepare for Christmas Day. Four themes are traditionally associated with Advent – hope, peace, joy and love.
The first Sunday of Advent which was two days ago the hope candle of the Advent wreath was lit. Phil Ressler in his blog post Christmas Presence: What happened to Advent? states:
“The theme of the wreath is anticipation. We live in the now, but not yet. We look forward to the lighting of the Christ Candle at Christmas. But we light just one candle at a time. It is an invitation of linger in the moment and appreciate the gift of each day we are given. We contemplate hope, peace, joy, and love in its time.
Candles are useful in helping us slow down. Think about where we use candles. You don’t sit down to a candlelight dinner at McDonald’s while grabbing a burger to go. A candlelight dinner is for a special occasion. You take your time and enjoy the presence of the person or people you are with. There is no rush.
For me, the Advent wreath reminds me to stop. It invites me to be still and recognize the blessings in this given moment. We are often so focused on what comes next, that we miss out on what is now. So take a moment. Light a candle. Be present now.”
Hope is this week’s theme. A couple of my favorite hope verses are:
“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:30-31 NIV
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:1-5 NIV
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NIV
During this busy time of year maybe adding the season of Advent will help us enjoy Christmas in a new way that is my prayer for you and me. Have a great day.
Ann, thank you for the reminder to remember Advent during this season of hope and giving.
Thank you, Ann. I agree with you about the commercialization of Christmas. Ugh! I love the Advent season. Thank you for reminding us of the Hope Messiah brings.