Day 258 | Wednesday, 2 December 2020

Day 258 - Audio Version

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Day 258 | Wednesday, 2 December 2020

A History of Advent

“Advent was developed as a season of the church year in the late fourth century.  It was widely practiced across Christian churches worldwide by the sixth century.”

“The church developed Advent primarily to provide an alternative time for the final preparation of candidates for baptism. The normal three-year preparation period included a final forty days of intense preparation during Lent.  Baptism would follow at Easter.”

“A second season was needed after the Roman Emperor Theodosius made  approximately 15% of the Empire was Christian. After 380, the vast majority of citizens sought to become Christian. A single season could not accommodate all of those preparing for baptism.”

“Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” The focus of Advent is on Christian life now in light of the culmination of all things at Christ’s second coming. By focusing on last things, baptismal candidates were reminded of the need for Christ to come again to make all things new as they prepared to begin their new lives in Christ.”

“Baptism would typically occur at Epiphany, the end of the Christmas Season when Christians remember the coming of the Magi and celebrate the baptism of Jesus. This is why many older baptismal fonts include depictions of the Magi bringing gifts.”

“Similar to Lent, Advent developed as a penitential season of varying lengths. By the eighth century, Advent was generally observed for six weeks in the East (as it is to this day) and seven in the West. By the 12th century, it became shortened in the West to four weeks.”

“Advent was part of the practice of the Church of England when John Wesley was a priest. When he revised the liturgical calendar for use by American Methodists in 1784, he kept Advent and its four Sundays. So, Advent was part of Methodist ritual from the beginning.”

Doug’s note- most churches have an Advent candle arrangement during the Advent season with three purple candles, a pink candle and a white candle in the center.  The candles are quite often labeled – Hope, Joy, Love and Peace.  The pink candle is often referred to as the candle for Mary and is usually lit on the third Sunday of Advent.  The white candle in the center is the Christ candle and is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.  Some denominations have gone to royal blue for the four advent candles for the royalty of Christ.

Hymn “People, Look East” words by Eleanor Farjeon, 1928, a French Carol

1.   “People look east.  The time is near of the crowning of the year.  Make  your house fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table.  People, look east: Love, the Guest, is on the way.”
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An Advent Prayer
“Merciful God, you sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation.  Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may celebrate aright the commemoration of the nativity, and may await with joy the coming in glory of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever.  Amen.” The Book of Common Prayer; alt. by Laurence Hull Stookey