10.
. .9. . .8. . .7. . .6. . .5. . .4. . .3. . .2. . .1. . .
Who
doesn’t love a good countdown? Not long
ago countdowns were nail-biting,edge-of-your-seat preludes to launching a new
rocket into space. Today, “Alexa” will
set an alarm that sounds like it came out of a science fiction movie to let you know your dinner is
done. The church’s liturgical year is another counting device we use as we count off the Sundays after Pentecost.
At this time of the year, everyone’s favorite countdown tool is the Advent Wreath which we use to count the Sundays in Advent that lead to Christmas.
Advent used to be regarded as a penitential season, so much so that altar paraments were purple - as they are in Lent. More recently, Advent has become a time of hope and expectation wherein we anticipate the birth of Jesus at Christmas, but also his coming in glory at the End Times. Now we use the color blue. A practice that is believed to have its roots in Scandinavia, blue represents hope, but also transcendence and mystery.
 |
| The Virgin Mary is usually depicted in blue. |
There may be ancient practices harkening back to pagan times, but for us this evergreen adorned circle, which first began to take form in 16th century Germany, is filled with Christian significance. The circle of the wreath represents Christ’s eternal victory over death, the evergreens remind us of eternal life and the importance of being faithful, and the lit candles represent the light of Christ in the world.
Some
traditions use elaborate liturgies for the lighting of the candles. They may have individuals or small groups
lead litanies, they may assign special emphases to each candle (hope, prophecy,
joy, promise, e.g.), and they may sing hymns.
These traditions can be pleasing and meaningful, but they are local practices,
traditions rather than rules. In fact,
the use of an Advent Wreath is completely optional and is not required for Christian
worship at all.
This year, at St. Mark’s, we will allow the wreath to speak for itself so that the candles will already be lit when we gather for worship. One candle will be lit on the first Sunday of Advent, then two candles on the second Sunday, and so on. Finally, on Christmas Eve, the center candle (also called the Christ candle) will burn brightly at the center of the wreath. In our modern age of oil-filled candles we will not be able to see their gradual melting, but we can still participate in the “countdown to Christmas.” Those who would like to meditate on the wreath might use the words from hymn no. 240 – Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah.
This year, at St. Mark’s, we will allow the wreath to speak for itself so that the candles will already be lit when we gather for worship. One candle will be lit on the first Sunday of Advent, then two candles on the second Sunday, and so on. Finally, on Christmas Eve, the center candle (also called the Christ candle) will burn brightly at the center of the wreath. In our modern age of oil-filled candles we will not be able to see their gradual melting, but we can still participate in the “countdown to Christmas.” Those who would like to meditate on the wreath might use the words from hymn no. 240 – Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah.
10.
. .9. . .8. . .7. . .6. . .5. . .4. . .3. . .2. . .1
 |
| Christmas Eve Poinsettias |
Come
quickly, Lord Jesus!
Some of the information for this article came from the following article:
file:///C:/Users/Tony%20Cruz/Desktop/IDM%20DOWNLOADS/What_is_the_Advent_Wreath_and_how_is_it_used_in_worship.pdf
Some of the information for this article came from the following article:
file:///C:/Users/Tony%20Cruz/Desktop/IDM%20DOWNLOADS/What_is_the_Advent_Wreath_and_how_is_it_used_in_worship.pdf
1 comment:
Some people are unable to leave responses on the blog, but I have permission to share this response from our member Larry W. who grew up at Ascension Lutheran Church in Charlotte, NC.
"As a kid, I served often as an acolyte and often lit the Advent wreath. I’ll have to admit that I was most focused on the fourth candle because I wanted Christmas morning to come."
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