Dear friends,
This week, we begin the season of Advent, the beginning of a new church year. As with all faith communities, the Christian Church has its own calendar which, while bearing similarities to others, also holds many differences. The Church’s year begins at the start of December, from which point we journey through the story of Jesus’s life and ministry. As we move through each season—Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, and so on—we recount a particular aspect of Jesus’s life and how God is transforming our lives through him. During Advent, we return to the beginning of Jesus’s life, charting the prophecies and the lives of those who immediately paved the way for Christ to enter the world, through to our celebration of his birth at Christmas.
Each week, we will light the Advent Wreath at the beginning of our Parish Eucharist. On each Sunday in Advent, a different candle will represent one of the people or communities who opened the way for Jesus to come among us. The order follows: (1) the patriarchs, such as Abraham, Moses and the early forefathers of the children of Israel, the communities who first encountered God; (2) the prophets, such as Isaiah and Jeremiah, who predicted the Messiah would one day come to us; (3) John the Baptist, Jesus’s cousin, who baptized and preached in Jesus’s name prior to Jesus’s own ministry; and (4) the Blessed Virgin Mary, Jesus’s mother. Indeed, Advent itself is a journey; a season where we follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before us, until finally, at Christmas, we light the central candle which represents Christ as the true light of the world.
Alongside the Wreath, you will also notice other liturgical changes. The Eucharistic Prayer will be different, for example, where we will follow one which reflects more specifically on the incarnation and the overarching Biblical narrative. The colors in church will shift to purple, which represents royalty, depth, and, like the season of Lent, a degree of penitence, making space, and a reimagining of priorities. After all, Advent is a season of preparation as much as joyful expectation. The collects, prayers of the people, sermons, and other liturgical practices offered throughout the season will also reflect this spirituality, as will also several opportunities for spiritual formation which will be offered throughout the season.
Devon and I hope that you will consider joining us for theological discussion and/or compline during the season (see the separate advert). Indeed, there will be many other opportunities to gather for worship and fellowship throughout the season in addition to Sunday worship, so do keep an eye out for the weekly announcements. I also hope you will join us for Advent Lessons and Carols on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 5 p.m.! In the meantime, I trust that you all have a good Thanksgiving and let us pray together for our parish community as we enter this wonderful new year and a new chapter together.
With every blessing,
Ed.
The Rev. Edward Thornley
Rector of The Episcopal Parish of St. John the Evangelist