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What is Advent? |
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Advent is a season of the church year during which we prepare our hearts for Christ's coming. Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year for Christians. [Liturgical -- from liturgy, which means the forms and functions of public worship.] The dates of Advent vary each year, but it always contains the four Sundays before Christmas Day. This year Advent starts on November 30, 2008. The season of Advent began being observed around the fourth century of Christianity. In recent years, Protestant churches have begun to reclaim that part of their history by observing Advent. Lots of people celebrate Advent by using an Advent wreath. It's often four candles on a circular wreath signifying the four weeks of Advent. A candle in the center is the Christ candle, lit on Christmas Day and Epiphany. Usually the four candles are purple or blue. If you celebrate Gaudete Sunday on the third week, that candle is pink. (Gaudete means "rejoice" in Latin.) The Christ candle is white. Advent's primary message is to wait, listen, get in touch with God, and prepare our lives and hearts for Jesus' coming. For speeded up, stressed out people (that would be most of us), this is an intriguing invitation. Observe Advent -- and get more in touch with God. - Beth A. Richardson Beth A. Richardson is the Director of Electronic Publishing at Upper Room Ministries. She is also author of the Advent book, Child of the Light: Walking Through Advent and Christmas. Resources for Advent |
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Julian of Norwich, a late fourteenth-century mystic and spiritual writer, chose to live a solitary life in a cell attached to the Church of Saint Julian in Norwich, England. Because Julian was known for her wisdom, seekers approached the window of her cell to ask her questions about Christian faith and practice. Learn more about Julian by reading Encounter with God's Love: Selected Writings of Julian of Norwich from Upper Room Books.
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