What Is Advent?
My oldest sibling sent me a picture of her beautiful fully decorated Christmas tree on November, 19th. If she were Facebook friends with Fr. Chase, he would have to unfriend her (see his Compass article from last week). Like many non-Anglican Christians, she probably knows that Advent is a thing that exists, but it’s just not something she thinks about. Christmas is where you find the real fun and joy, right? So why not get an early start a week before Thanksgiving?
Fr. Chase’s article from last week was a very good, full, and helpful article on preparing our hearts for Advent. This week, I want to write a little more about what exactly Advent is for those who are still new to the tradition. For those of us who are newer to Anglicanism, it can be challenging to understand what all the fuss is about regarding Advent. Again, who needs Advent when we have Christmas?
Advent simply means “coming” or “arrival” from the Latin word adventus. What is coming or arriving? Jesus! During Advent we focus our attention and hearts on remembering Jesus’ initial coming down to us and taking on our flesh as a fragile little baby, who would be the savior of the world. At the same time, we focus our attention and hearts on remembering and longing for his second coming, which is that glorious day when he will wipe away all our enemies, as well as all our tears. There is no day we who are in Christ long more for than that glorious day!
Perhaps you heard some people greeting each other last Sunday by saying, “Happy New Year!” Hopefully, they explained why if you didn’t understand. For Christians, Advent is the beginning of the Church year or calendar. It always starts four weeks before Christmas Day. So perhaps it might be clearer to greet one another by saying, “Happy New Church Year!” You could also just opt for, “Hi. How are you?” There is no traditional or required greeting for Advent.
My favorite way that the Church helps us to focus our attention and hearts on remembering both of Jesus’ arrivals is through Advent music. Songs like O Come, O Come, Emmanuel and Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence are so beautiful and theologically rich. They powerfully draw us to dwell on the great goodness of God through both arrivals of Jesus. Here is an Advent playlist on Spotify you might enjoy listening to this Advent season.
I also love how our readings for each Sunday of Advent come from passages that point us to Jesus’ first coming, second coming, or both. All of these passages are truly “tidings of comfort and joy” for all those who are in Christ. For example, on this second Sunday of Advent, we will hear the prophet Isaiah proclaim, “They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.” This is the advent/arrival our hearts so deeply long for as sons and daughters of God!
I hope that understanding a little better what Advent is will help you understand why it is such a beautiful season worth celebrating with all our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is a season full of beauty and joy that make it worth waiting for Christmas, the first advent. It can also rekindle our hearts and minds to joyfully and prayerfully look forward to Jesus’ return on the last day, the second advent.
In two weeks, I’ll write more about the unique aspects of each of the four Sundays. Until then, let us continue to sing, read, serve, and pray together with our hearts and minds focused on the two advents of our Lord Jesus! “O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here, Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.”
Fr. John Laffoon
Minister to Youth & Families