Naomi's Notes - 11/28/04
Hope. Peace. Love. Joy. Christ. These are the candles that we light during our Advent worship services the four weeks prior to Christmas. Advent, like Lent, is a season of anticipation and preparation, a time of actively waiting for the Savior to come and turn darkness into light. With the worldwide dilemmas of the 21st century, Advent is perhaps more meaningful now than ever before.
The word "advent" comes from the Latin "adventus," which means "coming" or "arrival." The early church considered it to be the start of the new Church year, an opportunity for a new beginning.
Unlike the observance of Lent, which ends in a single day of celebration on Easter Sunday, we tend to "celebrate" Advent throughout the month, rather than just on Christmas Day. Certainly it's true in secular society, but even in our worship we get so weary from "celebrating" throughout the month, that by the time Christmas Day arrives our ultimate celebration is in danger of losing its luster.
For Immanuelites, the biggest worship service of the year is always on Christmas Eve. Each Sunday during Advent, our worship services help us focus on the real reason for the season, the coming of the Christ Child. But it is especially fitting that the Christmas Eve service is so well-attended. That night, as the Christ Candle is lit, Immanuelites focus on the coming of Christ, the fulfillment of all the hope, peace, love and joy that we long for in this world and beyond.
"Come, Thou long-expected Jesus, Born to set Thy people free…"
See you in worship this Advent season -
Naomi