“A voice of one calling: In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord.” (Isaiah 40:3 NIV)
“With the season of Advent upon us (Dec 3-24, 2023), we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ first coming as a baby in Bethlehem. The term advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning coming or arrival, and marks the beginning of the Christian liturgical year. It is a time of anticipation and preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ, culminating in the joyous celebration of Christmas.
“Countries around the world observe Advent in various ways, each imbued with unique cultural and religious traditions. Here are a few examples of how Advent is celebrated in different parts of the world:
- Germany: German traditions include the Advent wreath—a circular arrangement of evergreen branches adorned with four candles. One candle is lit on each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas, symbolizing hope, peace, joy, and love. Many Germans also count down the days until Christmas with an Advent calendar.
- Mexico: In Mexico, the celebration of Advent often involves Las Posadas, a reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s search for a place to stay in Bethlehem. This tradition fosters community spirit and emphasizes the importance of hospitality.
- Sweden: The Swedish observe Advent with the lighting of candles on a special Advent candleholder called an Adventsljusstake. Each Sunday, a new candle is lit until all four are aglow.
- France: France shares many similar traditions with its European neighbors such as using Advent calendars and lighting Advent candles in a wreath to count down the days until Christmas.
This year, we invite you to take time to reflect and meditate on the purpose of Christmas with your family through the celebration of Advent.”*
God, help us, your Church, to look deeper this Advent and Christmas and to not let us get caught in a surface-deep understanding of Christmas.
“It came upon a midnight clear
That glorious song of old
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold
“Peace on the earth good will to men”
From Heaven’s all gracious King
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing”
Alpha and Omega, help us in solemn stillness to hear your angels’ songs once again and to contemplate the truths and reality of your Advent coming.
“And ye beneath life’s crushing load
Whose forms are bending low
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow
Look now for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing
O rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing”
Lord God, as we contemplate this Christmas, may we lessen the burden for those crushed, toiling, taking slow and painful steps, whose hope seems to be faint.
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,
for the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted
and to proclaim that captives will be released
and prisoners will be freed.” (Isaiah 61:1-2 NLT)
Sovereign Lord, may we be anointed by your Spirit to proclaim freedom and rescue to a world in need.
“For lo the days are hastening on
By prophet bards foretold
When with the ever-circling years
Comes round the age of gold
When peace shall over all the earth
Its ancient splendors fling
And the whole world give back the song
Which now the angels sing.**
King of the Universe, may your return be soon and may peace flood the earth so that all the earth reflects your glory. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus, come. Amen.
* from Sonlight.com email 12/1/23
**“It Came Upon A Midnight Clear” (Public Domain) by Edmund Hamilton Sears & Richard Storrs Willis
[Adapted from a post from 11/27/22]