Advent - An Invitation

So, it's been almost two months since I've blogged here.  I've been busy with a research paper, and blogging for another site, and life in general.  Truthfully, my oath to rein in my verbal attack urges against people of other political and religious convictions has prompted a lot of re-thinking of ideas for posts before I hit the "publish" button, too.  This taking Luther's understanding of the 8th commandment seriously thing is hard work, my friends.  Worthwhile, but tough.

But today, I was reflecting on the beginning of my very favorite season of the church year - Advent.  It's upon us; those of us in liturgical Christian traditions begin, as of Sunday, a four-week season of prayerful waiting, watching, and reflecting upon the coming of the Messiah, which we celebrate at Christmas.  Its very tone has become counter-cultural; instead of the mad rush to Christmas that we see all around us, it's quiet.  Pensive.  Reflective.  Peaceful.  Deep.  It puts Christ, not consumerism, at the heart of this month.  It is, in my opinion, the perfect antidote to the ever-increasing destruction of any sort of spiritual depth in the Christmas season - it's about prayer around a cross rather than presents under a tree.  It's about acknowledging that we are broken people in a broken world surrounded by darkness, who are waiting to see a great light, trusting in God's promises of redemption and healing, instead of pretending that we're all just doing fine and gee, isn't Christmastime just so exciting?

So, my conservative/evangelical friends who, often, tend to see no value in, or have no experience with, the liturgical heritage of the Church universal, I invite you to consider joining the rest of us in celebrating Advent this year.  Get four blue candles and a white one; always light the white one (to remind you of God's never-ceasing presence, even in our darkest times) and light one blue the first week, two the second, and so on up to Christmas eve.  Maybe arrange them, like many of us do, in a nice wreath.  Read some scripture together - at church, as a family at home, on your own - about the promised Messiah (Isaiah's a great place to start), then sing a song together as you light the appropriate candle(s)...I recommend "Light One Candle To Watch For Messiah," but there are lots of great options.  You can look for Advent calendars, that come with daily scripture readings and candy.  There are lots of ways to make Advent a part of your spiritual life...but, please, think about digging in to this rich, beautiful tradition as you look for ways to center yourself spiritually in the real "reason for the season," the coming of Jesus.