| ADVENT: A MERGER OF LITURGY AND CULTURE a series by Dick Fichter, parishioner with support by Rev. Dina |
| THE FOURTH CANDLE AND THE CHRISTMAS CANDLE The Final Coming As you will recall from the beginning of this series, the definition of Advent from the Episcopal glossary of terms is that the name is derived from a Latin word for “coming.” The season is a time of preparation and expectation for the coming celebration of our Lord’s nativity, and for the final coming of Christ “in power and glory.” (Emphasis added.) As previously noted, the first part of the definition I was well acquainted with but not so much the latter. In reflecting on this latter portion of the definition I came across an article in the webpage of the University of Portland, a catholic university, which I found interesting as follows: Many people may know that the Advent season focuses on expectation and think that it serves as an anticipation of Christ’s birth in the season leading up to Christmas. This is part of the story, but there’s more to Advent. The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming,” which is a translation of the Greek word parousia. Scholars believe that during the 4th and 5th centuries in Spain and Gaul, Advent was a season of preparation for the baptism of new Christians at the January feast of Epiphany, the celebration of God’s incarnation represented by the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus, his baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist, and his first miracle at Cana. During this season of preparation, early Christians would spend 40 days in penance, prayer, and fasting to prepare for this celebration which is reflected in the above portion of the Episcopal Advent definition, “… and for the final coming of Christ “in power and glory.” Ooriginally, there was little connection between Advent and Christmas. ?? Do you think that the Early Christians’ 40 days in penance prior to Christmas has been culturally changed to 40 days of commercialization prior to Christmas by contemporary society? By the 6th century, however, Roman Christians had tied Advent to the coming of Christ. But the “coming” they had in mind was not Christ’s first coming in the manger in Bethlehem, but his second coming in the clouds as the judge of the world. It was not until the Middle Ages that the Advent season was explicitly linked to Christ’s first coming at Christmas. “On that day…” is a phrase that features in many of the first readings through the beginning of the Season of Advent. The Season starts with a sense of anticipation. Those using the readings are taken into the Book of Isaiah and the longings of the people of Israel for the coming of the day of the Lord – the day when many of the anxieties and struggles of life are brought to a peaceful resolution. The readings point to a longing that Christians understand as finding fulfillment in the birth of Jesus, celebrated on Christmas. They also point to a longing that remains in our hearts to this day. Jesus did come into the world in a manger one day in Bethlehem. Yet a return is awaited, a return in glory when the fullness of the kingdom of God is to be made manifest in its fullness. It is a return that will bring about the justice and peace and life that our hearts long for. The Season of Advent then seeks to draw our longing to the foreground and awaken a greater awareness of the anticipation that we hold in our hearts for the fullness of life that God seeks to draw us into. Consider the many aspects of this season leading up to Christmas – even the aspects that may seem to some like getting into Christmas before it is even Christmas. Throughout are images, songs, and emotions that point ahead with a bit of nostalgia for a something that we long for. Throughout is a sense of anticipation for something that we might not even be able to name. Throughout is an anticipation for the fullness that is yet to come, a fullness we long for and eagerly await its arrival. This Sunday we will light the fourth and final blue candle for the weeks of Advent and Scripture – Luke 1:57-80 Prayer – Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. THE CHRIST CANDLE Christmas As you will note when in church the Epiphany Advent wreath has a center white candle. We have one more candle to light, the larger center white candle which we light on Christmas Eve. The lighting of this white candle symbolizes the light of Christ that has come into the world. THANK YOU and YOUR QUESTIONS Thank you all for your time and patience in reading this series and best wishes for a joyous Christmas and blessings for a peaceful and Happy New Year. I especially thank Rev. Dina for the support, encouragement, and input in preparing these Hump Day Messages making them fun and interesting to research and write. You may wish to write one yourself. Or you may wish to ask the Camel for a reflection on a question you may have on the Episcopal Church or faith. You can email your questions clergy@epiphanyec.org. Your name will be kept anonymous. |
| God Loves You. No Exceptions. Christmas Eve Services 4pm – Youth-Focused Holy Eucharist 8:40pm – Service Prelude with Harp 9:00pm – Traditional Rite II Holy Eucharist with Candlelight & Harp Feast of the Epiphany celebrated at Epiphany on 1/7, 10am Join us for worship with Bishop Stevenson Baptisms, Confirmations, Receptions, & Reaffirmations! |