Advent is
upon us.
The paraments
(or the cloths that hang on the pulpit and drape the communion table) have been
changed from green to purple.
Purple—the
color of advent is used because purple means royalty.
We drape
ourselves with purple stoles as a sign that says “we are preparing for the
Royal One to return.” Of course this is
the Christ child.
Advent is
four weeks long. A week or so shorter than Lent.
Lent is most
often known for the season where we give up that which may be a vice to us. During
Lent, many commit to fasting or giving up certain types of luxuries as a form
of penitence. Many Christians also add a Lenten spiritual discipline, such as
reading a daily devotional, to draw themselves near to God.
What about
Advent?
The word
“Advent” comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming” or “visit.”
In the season with this name, we keep in mind both “advents” of Christ, the
first in Bethlehem and the second yet to come.
But what if
Advent was a bit more…accessible than that? What if the second coming is
something we are waiting for and participating in at the same time?
What if
Christ’s coming again happens every
time an act of justice occurs or loved is expressed between people or people
and the earth?
What if
Advent is in itself a reminder that God is still with us and that we need not
look any further than within ourselves?
What if we
participate in Advent this year with the understanding that we aren’t waiting
for God to show up but instead we are waiting to show up for God?
What if this
season of Advent instead of wondering where God is in the midst of these dark
days…
What if
We
Wander
with the wonder God sees us with?
What
If
Advent
Is less
About
God
Coming
To
Us
And
More
About
Us
Coming alive to the divine in all things…
And…
Subsequently…
In
All
Persons?
Advent is
upon us.
It isn’t a
season simply about being optimistic.
Instead, it
is a way of life—a hopeful way of living.
“Advent is
rooted in promise, the promise that makes hope a way of life for God's people.”
After all,
hope is the thing with feathers…
I
can promise you that.
