Season of Advent
Advent begins the Christian New Year. It is a time of waiting and preparation for the “Coming One”. It is a peaceful and penitential time, a hopeful time that rejects the hurly burly of outside preparations for Christmas. In our tradition, Christmas decorations do not usually go up, certainly not in the church, until after Fourth Advent. The traditional liturgical colour is purple.
Advent candles are three purple and one pink (Mary’s Candle). Currently, some churches choose blue to separate Advent from the deeply Penitential season of Lent. However, we believe that other symbols, drapings, music, and liturgies already do this.
However, much we prefer the all purple paraments and vestments for Advent, we find ourselves with blended blue and purple paraments. The material looks rather like planets and constellations – whirling in the heavens (appropriate for the texts of this season). The reason for our making such paraments is due to having shared space with another parish and acceding to their desire for blue – in part – as a compromise. So we find ourselves making blended colour candles as well. The pastor’s purple vestments balance it all. Actually, it is quite lovely!
The First Sunday of Advent: over the centuries, has come to honour Isaiah as the first foreteller
The Second Sunday of Advent: hears read the words of John the Baptizer, the voice of “one crying in the wilderness” (purple candle).
The Third Sunday of Advent: “In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a maiden betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House and lineage of David; and the maiden’s name was Mary.” (Luke 1: 26-27).
The third Sunday of Advent: Gaudete Sunday, meaning “We Praise Thee”, celebrates the joy of Mary, the maiden chosen to be the mother of God’s Son (pink candle – joy).
The Fourth Sunday of Advent: traditionally belongs to St. Joseph. He is described in scripture as a just and loving man. Nowhere is he portrayed as old. With the lighting of the Joseph candle, Advent fades as the Christmas Star begins to rise in the sky.
Prayers for the Season of Advent
Let us pray for the whole people of God, in Christ Jesus, and for all peoples according to their needs. . . .
Coming One,
In this season, still recalling the Montreal Massacre and violence in our world, our communities, and even within your church – we ask that you give your people the strength to speak out for injustice – for inequality and all things which demean or diminish people and your creation.
P. God of Mercy
C. Hear our Prayer
God of the Prophets: In this season, we hear the voices of the prophets – which are at odds with the frenzy of carols, shopping, and a glitter that nearly obscures the where and why of your birth so long ago. Help us to journey through this time of waiting – to hear within the silence – your peace and your promise.
P. God of Mercy
C. Hear our Prayer
God of All: In this season, we think of John the Baptizer, a brilliant prophetic social misfit who was yet one of those who prepared his culture for your presence. Help us to see and hear in those who do not conform to our way – and our view . Give us the grace to watch and see, to listen and to hear other voices and images and what they hold out to us . . . .
P. God of Mercy
C. Hear our Prayer
God of our Wilderness Times: Many times in our lives we allow fear, loneliness, exhaustion, or depression to lead us to despair in our world’s ever attempting to be just or to seek justice. Help us to understand that it is more important to be faithful than to be successful. Remind us that we never know who is touched, or what lives are changed in the long term, merely by our being faithful.
P. God of Mercy
C. Hear our Prayer
Awaited One: As the anticipation builds, help us to make room in our hearts and our homes for you, not merely by decorating our homes and workplaces but through welcoming the stranger and the “others” of this world in your name, as well as those around us and among us. Grant us all your peace as we await your coming and your coming again.
P. God of Mercy
C. Hear our Prayer
Into your hands O God, we commend all for whom we pray – trusting in your mercy… through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray this,
Amen