The Season of Advent
Advent begins 4 Sundays before Christmas. On the First Sunday of Advent, we will light a candle on the Advent Wreath (on the piano in the Sanctuary) and one more each week of Advent, until Christmas, when the candles will all be White for the Christmas Season.
Because Advent is a time of preparation, many liken it to Lent. Advent is reflective in nature as we prepare our hearts for the birth of Christ. However, it is not considered penitential like Lent, hence the blue altar dressings or paraments rather than the purple of Lent.
Advent is a time of preparation for Christmas and our wreath making followed the tradition of the Episcopal Church to save the Christmas decor for the Greening of the Church on the Sunday before Christmas — after the 2nd Service. At this time, the tree will go up and be lighted, poinsettias arranged around the Sanctuary, greens wrapped around the railings, and other fun decorations to honor the Christ Child. The Wisemen will appear and miniature Holy Families, reminiscent of that First Christmas. The large, old, but empty manger will be set in front of the altar to await the “Birth” of Baby Jesus on Christmas, when the baby will be placed in the manger.
The Greening of the Church
In the Episcopal Church, tradition and liturgy distinguish Advent – leading up to Christmas and then the Christmas Season itself, which follows. Advent begins 4 Sundays before Christmas and is a period of preparation for Christmas when we celebrate the birth of Christ – Emmanuel, (our parish namesake) and the incredible blessing of God being with us in Spirit as always, but at the birth of Christ, in flesh also. “God with skin on,” as it has been said, that not only is this a God you can see, hear, and touch, but a God who chose to live as a human and die as a sacrifice – something hard for us modern day people to grasp.
Christmas
The Christmas Season is the period of the 12 days of Christmas from Christmas Day to the eve of the Epiphany. Watch out for those “Twelve Drummers Drumming” on Epiphany!
The Liturgical Color of Christmas and the Christmas Season, is White for joy, purity and glory! So the Advent Candles will be white and the wreath bows will be white as well as the Paraments or liturgical fabric adornments.
But there will be lots of COLOR and to Celebrate Christmas!
Join us!
