December 4, 2000

CYBERCOLUMN:
Advent explained, sort of
___By Brett Younger
___"You might guess that I, as the pastor of a big-time church with liturgical worship, get questions from young ministers concerning Advent. Here is what might be some recent e-mail correspondence:

BRETT YOUNGER

___Pastor, Lake Shore Baptist Church:
___What’s the deal with Advent?
___A Young Minister

___Young Minister:
___The word "Advent" comes from the Latin "advenire," which means "coming." The Advent season (which includes the four Sundays prior to Christmas) focuses on the coming of God in the past (in the revelation of Jesus), present (as the Spirit with us), and future (as the hope beyond time). Many churches find Advent traditions meaningful.
___Brett Younger, Pastor

___ Rev. High Church:
___ We now have an Advent wreath on the Lord’s Supper table. The deacons got into an argument over which candle to light on the second Sunday of Advent. We have three yellows and two greens left.
___ Rev. Low Church

___ Rev. L.C.,
___ Light whatever works for you, but a traditional approach is to use three purple candles and one pink one (a candle for each Sunday in Advent). Purple symbolizes penitence and pink represents joy. A fifth candle, a white one in the center, is the Christ candle that’s lit on Christmas Eve.
___ Keeping the Candles Burning

___ Dr. Advent,
___ Has any child ever set the Advent wreath on fire?
___ Liturgically Challenged

___ L.C.,
___ Ask Graham Younger or anyone in church with him on Christmas Eve, 1995.
___ A Proud Father

___ Mr. Liturgy,
___ Advent is going great. Almost everyone loves it. In fact, we even have a sign out in front of the church that says "19 Shopping Days Left in Advent."
___ Counting Days

___ Shopping Liturgist,
___ I’m delighted that Advent is going so well. You might want to talk about the differences between the commercial aspects of Christmas--shopping, decorating, baking and socializing--and Advent, which is meant to move our attention toward God’s presence.
___Also Shopping

___Adventurer,
___ Who started Advent? I’ve got a 10-spot riding on the Seventh-day Adventists.
___ Needing Money for Gifts

___Gambler,
___The celebration has its historical roots in the Catholic Church. Pope Gregory I (590-604)) instituted the four-week Advent celebration. Don’t make any more wagers. Advent shouldn’t be about losing money.
___ Grateful to Gregory

___ Father Christmas,
___ I have been following the Scriptures for Advent and am disappointed. The texts deal with judgment and repentance. Why is Advent such a downer? Why can’t we read about Christmas?
___ Wondering

___ Wanderer,
___ I’m not sure "downer" is fair, but you have a point. It’s Pope Sylvester II’s fault. Before his reign (999-1003), Advent was schizophrenic. In France and Germany, Advent was spent fasting and confessing in preparation for the Last Judgment (especially as they neared the year 1000). Meanwhile, the church in Italy celebrated Advent as four weeks of parties leading up to the Feast of the Nativity. Because the French and Germans had more influence than the Italians, Sylvester went with their less joyful Advent. Through the years, the penitential approach became the focus of the entire church. I’m with you. There’s a lot to be said for the old Roman Advent and having fun.
___ Wishing You a Roman Holiday

___Italian-at-Heart Friend,
___ We got into another argument at the last deacons’ meeting. We know that the Advent themes include hope, peace and love, but is the fourth theme forbearance, self-control or self-esteem?
___ Guessing it’s Forbearing

___ Forbearing One,
___ You’re talking about a recent innovation. It’s hope, peace, joy and love--in that order.
___ Joyfully

___ Self-Appointed Expert,
___ Everyone but Mrs. Wendleken is on board with Advent. Her husband says that during the lighting of the candles she mutters under her breath, "Advent Shmadvent."
___ What to do?

___ Advent Friend,
___ You could say, "Mrs. Wendleken, people who are not as spiritual as you need to be reminded of the presence of God" or you could leave a lump of coal in her Advent stocking. You do have Advent stockings, don’t you?
___ Merry Advent,
___ Brett

___ Brett Younger is pastor of Lake Shore Baptist Church in Waco.




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