FROM THE PASTOR
Introducing an Expanded Advent Season
The season of Advent is about far more than just a countdown to Christmas, a countdown to the baby Jesus in the manger.
The season of Advent is about Christ’s coming –
- Christ’s coming to us as both human and divine in the first century,
- Also, Christ’s coming to us in Word and Sacrament whenever these are shared,
- And also, in Christ’s coming again to bring to fullness of the reign of God, that time when peace will prevail, when justice will be fulfilled, and love will be all in all. That time we await with great longing!
This is a lot to cover in just four weeks.
Now, of course, we dwell in these themes in varying ways throughout other seasons as well, but attention to Christ’s coming is at the forefront our minds in the season of Advent.
We know that at various points in history, the church observed Advent for different lengths of time, finally settling on a common practice of four weeks around the seventh or eighth century. However in our present time, these weeks are often so overwhelmed with Christmas socials and parties, concerts, cookie baking, and more, that rarely can we fully dwell in the larger themes.
It is interesting to me that those who compiled the Revised Common Lectionary, which is the series of readings that guide our worship life, already realized that covering these many ways in which Christ comes to us was too much for just four weeks. And so the readings that end the church year, in the month of November, already turn our eyes and attention to these different ways – particularly Christ’s coming to reign once and for all.
And folks have begun to wonder – what would it be like to commemorate Advent for seven weeks rather than the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost, and the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost, and more. What would it look like to start turning our eyes toward Christ’s coming before we put up the Christmas trees and send Christmas cards (if you even do those anymore!) and go Christmas shopping (ok – I know some of you start that in January…)
This year we will try an experiment, an experiment that a good number of folks are trying across numerous denominations – Lutheran, Episcopal, Methodist, etc.
I believe that experiments are what will keep our faith and our spirituality alive. Experiments are opportunities to meet God in a new way.
We’ll start celebrating Advent on Sunday, November 10th, but instead of using the oft-used themes of hope, peace, joy, and love as our guide, we’ll be using the traditional ‘O Antiphons,’ some of the various names of God, as our guide:
November 10 – O Wisdom
November 17 – O Adonai
November 24 – O Root of Jesse
December 1 – O Key of David
December 8 – O Morning Star
December 15 – O King of the Nations
December 22 – O Emmanuel
As we light candles on a wreath to mark time, as we explore the many ways we encounter the Triune God of these many names, we will experience the season of Advent anew this year.
I pray that you will join us on this journey of being attuned to God’s coming – in history, in our midst now, and in that awaited future!
God’s peace,
Pastor Kyle
