Church Calendar: Advent

Welcome to Advent!

Friends, this is the "New Years Day" of the Christian calendar! The season of Advent is the groundwork for the incredible story that unfolds throughout the rest of the year.

I committed to observing a liturgical church calendar for one year, to see if it was a practice we would fully embrace as a family. I couldn't believe the odds that I decided to begin with Advent! I know this was an intentional move on God's part and I praise Him for sparking my desire at this very time!

Part of how we are observing Advent this year is by reading from "Shadow & Light" by Tsh Oxenreider, each day. You can read my review of it here!

Today, on the first Sunday of Advent, we lit a violet candle that symbolizes HOPE! And with much of the beautiful mysteries of faith, it has a double meaning! The color violet here symbolizes both sorrow, and penitence. Both royalty, and repentance. As we light this candle we reflect on how we are made right with God through Christ, but we are also in a perpetual state of Advent (adventus meaning coming) as we wait for the return of our King who made himself incarnate at Christmas! This is a time of sober anticipation, mixed with a hint of joy! (As symbolized by the one pink candle!) Advent is meant to press a finger to our wound of waiting, to bring awareness that the fulfillment of all things lies ahead! I love how this reality is reflected so powerfully in my favorite Advent hymn "Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel." Give it a listen today. It moves me to tears almost every time.

And if you find yourself already overwhelmed by all that December brings with it, perhaps you'd enjoy checking out a book on Advent and pumping the breaks on all the cultural norms!

As Danielle Hitches says in her book "Sacred Seasons"

"For humans who are hardwired to be tribal, few tasks are more challenging than being countercultural. It is extremely difficult to extricate ourself and your family from the Christmas mania happening during Advent. But the sacred rhythms of the church invite us to step away from the hysteria and into a holy wilderness."

Don't fear the wilderness. If scripture tells us anything it's that God is not bound by the constraints of our self-made & cultural boundaries. He will reveal Himself uniquely & powerfully wherever vou find ourself this season. And for us, I'm excited to search for Him in intentional silence and yearning as we look to the manger!