What is the season of Advent?

Happened to read abt this in one of those email newsletters which I get now n then. I thot it would be an enriching experience for us to remember the meaning of this season n to prepare our hearts for the coming King yet again.

Info below courtesy of The Methodist Church in Singapore website.


The Church Year begins with ADVENT, a season of preparation for the Lord's coming. The season consists of the four Sundays before Christmas, either the last Sunday of November or the first Sunday of December, concluding with Christmas Eve. Similar to Lent, which leads up to Easter, Advent can be a season of prayer and fasting for baptismal candidates. The tone of Advent is one of longing and anticipation in the midst of suffering, as related in the popular 12th century hymn:

"O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear"

ADVENT derives from the Latin word: adventus which means "coming" or "approach".



THEMES FOR THE SUNDAYS OF ADVENT

1st SUNDAY: CHRIST'S RETURN
For churches that use a common lectionary, texts are read from scriptures that speak of Christ's Second Coming in Final Victory. However, we stress the implications of this hope for present living, not endless speculations - "Be aware, Keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come" (Mark 13:33 NRSV).

2nd SUNDAY: JOHN THE BAPTIST
The emphasis on the role of John the Baptist, as the "voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord'" (Matthew 3:3 NIV).

3rd SUNDAY: THE MESSAGE OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
John the Baptist preached repentance in anticipation of the Messiah (Christ): "every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire" (Luke 3:9 NIV). John recognised that he was not even worthy to untie Christ's sandal (John 1:20), for Christ would baptise "with the Holy Spirit and fire"(Luke 3:16).

4th SUNDAY: FINAL EXPECTANCY
This Sunday emphasises the final events before the coming of Jesus - Mary's conception by the Holy Spirit and Joseph's dream (Matthew 1:18-24; Luke 1:26-38), and the meeting between Mary and her cousin, Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist (Luke 1:39-45).


CHRISTMAS EVE

Advent concludes with Christmas Eve, which is the 24th of December. Traditionally it was a high holy night with midnight Christ Mass. Most protestant churches hold special worship or evangelistic services on Christmas Eve, featuring singing about the birth of Jesus and messages of salvation through God's gift of himself in Jesus Christ.


ADVENT MEANINGS

As with other seasons of the year, Advent is enriched by the many layers of Christian tradition, symbolism and messages. Advent is a season for:

• preaching on Christ's second coming,
• preaching on the Old Testament prophecies about Jesus' birth
• preparation for Christ's spiritual coming into human hearts and communities, symbolised by the birth of Jesus in a stable feed-box in the midst of Roman occupied Palestine.
• frequently a time of increased charitable giving and volunteering
• For many Singapore Christians it is a special time for evangelism with Christmas caroling and special events.

ADVENT MUSIC

Churches frequently have Christmas pageants, musical or dramatic re-enactments of the story of Christmas. While these special events may be scheduled throughout Advent, the weekly gathering of believers ought to be different than a gathering of shoppers. Pastors, worship leaders and musicians should carefully choose hymns and songs that compliment the tone of Advent: our need of a saviour, anticipation of the Day of the Lord, repentance and holiness. An example is Charles Wesley's Advent hymn: "Come, thou long expected Jesus", first published in 1744, set to Rowland Prichard's majestic Hyfrydol tune:

Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee. Israel's strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art; dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.

COLORS

Purple and blue are both royal colours and colours of penance in the west.


VISUALS (just a few):

• Advent Wreath - Five candles, set in a circle of four purple, or three purple and one rose colour, candles, and central white one representing Christ. Traditional set in an evergreen wreath.
• Chrismon Tree (evergreen tree covered with white monograms of Christ)
• Jesse Tree (a tree with signs of the ancestors of Christ)

PS: My frens, I'm not a Catholic n not intending to be one ya, so no need to hit the panic button. I just think tt this outward symbols are the manifestation of the inward grace tt is at work in us during this season.