But, Advent actually begins on the Sunday before, with Christmas still some three weeks off. The church will actually do most of its decorations on December 1, have this annual Open House December 2, and do a “Hanging of the Greens” service on the Second Sunday of Advent, December 4. On top of this, would you believe “New Years”?
Why such a complex schedule? Well, what the Western Church calls “Advent” is the first season of the church year. It recalls the first coming of Christ as Baby Jesus, but it also has a focus on Christ’s Second Coming at the end of time. Based on the Latin word for “coming,” Advent actually originated close to the sixth century with six Sundays “coming” up to Christmas. The six Sundays were reduced to four by the ninth century. The Advent Sunday “pericopes” are the readings or lexionary for the season and focus on the Second Coming of Christ on the first and second Sundays of Advent and on preparation for Christmas on the third and fourth Sundays. All four Sundays of Advent explore mankind’s longing and preparation for the coming of its Messiah.
Technically, Advent begins with the Sunday closest to November 30, falling between November 27 and December 3, and will vary from three to four weeks in length. As the first Sunday of every new church liturgical year, Advent commences the annual church calendar. This church season has its own unique color, purple for “royalty and majesty.” This is very appropriate for Jesus Christ Whom the church will welcome on Christmas as “King of Kings.” Liturgical churches like the Anglican, Roman Catholic, and Lutheran churches historically use purple vestments and paraments in Advent church services, but in recent years some have begun using liturgical blue, another royal color. Interestingly enough, in the Eastern Church, red is the color of Advent.
Churches and homes bring other colors into Advent worship. Churches may use a “Hanging of the Greens” service as a vehicle for celebration of Advent readiness where the church is decorated for the coming Messiah. That is what Zion is doing December 4. Various evergreens, ornaments, trees, paraments like banners, and the Advent wreath will be used. Evergreens symbolize life and the eternal love of our Heavenly Father. The endless circle of the wreath suggests a God Who will always be. Its light symbolizes Christ, the Light of the World breaking into mankind’s darkness. There are five candles, three purple, one pink, and a center candle, which is white. One candle is lit on each successive Advent Sunday until four candles of the five shine. On Christmas Eve the last and central white candle is lit, representing Christ, the Light of the World, born on Christmas day.
Purple, pink, green--Advent is a season of color and celebration as we look to the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Friends and visitors are welcome to all Zion Lutheran Church events.
One of Zion’s Advent banners used in church beautification for the season, this parament emphasizes royal purple in honor of the coming King, four candles representing the coming Light of the World, Jesus Christ, and evergreens reminding us of the eternal nature of God.
