“Happy New Year!” You may be puzzled by that wish as January 1 is still a month away. No, I haven’t turned an extra page in my office calendar and I haven’t gone completely crazy (yet), but, with the First Sunday of Advent, we start something new. It’s the beginning of the Christian year which runs from the season of Advent until Christ the King Sunday (late November). The date for Advent’s arrival varies from year to year, but the easiest way to remember is that it falls the Sunday before the first Thursday of December (ranging from November 27 to December 3). During these four weeks, we’re encouraged to prepare our lives for the coming of the Christ Child. Much as we do during the Lenten season leading up to Easter, we’re to examine our lives and make room in the midst of the hustle and bustle for God to do something life-giving and transformative within us. To assist us in this journey of preparation, there is a daily devotional entitled Advent 2024: A Calendar of Devotions. available for pick up in the narthex of the sanctuary as well as the church conference room. Each day of Advent, we will be reading together a Scripture and meditation to help re-center our hearts and minds on the precious gift given to humanity at Christmas.
With the approach of Advent and Christmas, you’ve probably already heard the sounds of the season playing in a store or during your daily drive. I personally know of those who could listen to it year-round. Aside from the decorations and gift-giving, it’s some people’s favorite part of the season. Not long ago, I thought how interesting it is that we have a genre of music dedicated to this time of the year. While Hallmark may offer Christmas movies in July, when was the last time we sang “Joy to the World” in the middle of summer? It just doesn’t happen! The tradition of songs in celebration of Christmas dates back to Rome during the fourth century, but during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries their popularity and familiarity increased. As we worship together during Advent and Christmas, we will be singing many of these songs, and, on the first two Wednesday afternoons/evenings in December, we will share them with some of our senior members as well as others who are homebound. I will also be incorporating some of our favorite carols into the morning messages as a companion to the Scripture readings taking us from anticipation to proclamation of this glorious news.
I’d like to encourage you to take some time during the weeks of Advent to reflect upon the symbols of the season. Our facilities will be adorned as usual with many beautiful and colorful elements aimed at giving us a visual appreciation for the Nativity story. From the outdoor stable to the creche (pronounced kresh) in the narthex to the poinsettias, candles, and Chrismon tree in the chancel area, these visuals are intended draw us into the meaning/significance of what Jesus came into our world to accomplish. The green paraments of Ordinary Time/Kingdomtide/Season after Pentecost will give way to purple for Advent and be followed with white for Christmas. Although we commonly associate purple at Advent with royalty for Jesus being the King of kings and Lord of lords, the color also represents penitence which is important to our preparation now just as during Lent.
On the first Sunday of Advent, you’ll find a purple insert in your worship bulletin which includes sixteen of the Chrismons (many of which will be on our tree) as well as a brief explanation of their symbolism. The word “Chrismon” is a combination of “Christ” and “monogram” with each ornament representing who Jesus was and is, what he did throughout his ministry, and what he made possible for us through his death, burial, and resurrection. As a book title in my library reads, Chrismons—They Point to Christ. The Chrismons upon our tree were handmade over the years by a number of saints from our faith community and their story lives on even as their work continues to tell the story of Jesus. Please take a moment to look at them up close over the coming weeks and decide which symbol is your favorite and why.
Together in the Advent Journey,
The Reverend Kelley Smart