Advent is…Officially it is the Christian time of discipline that precedes Christmas. In reality, it is the most underused of all the Christian seasons.

We prepare for Christmas in so many ways – most of them secular and some of them both exhausting and expensive. So, Advent may be a refreshing holy day “additive.”

The traditional Advent themes are large-scale: Death, Judgment, Heaven and Hell. Presented in this order, the Advent Themes are logical – they require a Savior as a basis for hope better than any we can create on our own.

Our St. Nicholas Advent is summed up in a special Oak Tree Calendar. It offers a varied set of events that have now become tradition in this parish – we have done them more than once.

Liturgically, we will follow the prophets as they prepare us for the fulfillment of centuries of hope and prayer. Purple will “color” the season with penitence and invite us to offer God the present of humble lives and faithful hearts. The Prayers for the People will be appropriate to the season and will be offered by lay intercessors, as was the case last year.

As I write, I am struck by the way preparing for Christmas is like using a recipe. It is hard to gather the ingredients, prepare them and wait for the final result. Things must be done by the book and yet there must be a personal eye, a personal creativity – or else a special loveliness is lacking. Do you see what I mean – we need to put ourselves into the season, remembering that Jesus Himself is the reason for all seasons and teachings in the church.

We have more and more warnings about terror in this country. Medical centers, water supplies, business patterns – each and all have been announced as targets. Once again, here is a parallel with Advent. It announces, it warns, it urges preparation, it centers on the living God who alone grants security and true freedom. So let us get into our religion realizing that it is not ours: it is God’s offering to us for our salvation. “O Come let us adore him”

All that I have been trying to say will be better said during our Advent Lessons and Carols, If you do nothing else for Advent, this is the thing to do—immerse yourself in music, Scripture, mood and meditation. Enjoy a “new tradition” with classic value – Advent lessons and Carols, December 8 at 4:00 PM

Joining you in preparing,

JEF+