Seeing an Advent Wreath in the home of my Episcopalian best friend first made me pay attention to Advent. Mrs. Brewer explained how the four candles were lighted in the evening during the season. I made my own Advent Wreath out of a ring of Styrofoam and four candles for the Sunday School classes I was teaching when I was in my teens. Then one year my church got its own Advent Wreath and hung it in the chancel.

Lutherans in the U.S. have had a long struggle between those who love Advent and those who want it abolished so that they can put up the church Christmas decorations the week before Thanksgiving. You hear the struggle when some people moan “why can’t we sing familiar Christmas songs” the first time “O Come, O Come, Immanuel” is sung.

I always observe Advent in my personal devotions. On the first Sunday in Advent I listen to a recording of the Advent Lessons and Carols service. It starts with the Advent Responsory for Matins.

I look from afar:
And lo, I see the power of God coming, and a cloud covering the whole earth.
Go ye out to meet him and say:
Tell us, art thou he that should come to reign over thy people Israel?

I love the way the versicles mix the vision of the future coming of Christ with his first coming. The wonderful music by Palestrina seems to take the experience into heaven itself.

May your Advent be a taste of heaven.

Read Revelation 1:7-8 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne