Advent, the first season of the new church calendar year. Advent means the coming,and it marks a period of preparation for the coming of the divine child at Christmas.

Although this celebration has been around almost as long as Christianity itself, the reformed tradition only started observing Advent around forty years ago when the liturgical renewal swept through main line denominations.

Advent represents quite a contrast to what is going on around us in popular culture. Advent is about waiting and watching and listening and preparing. One ancient custom used to be that one wheel was removed from the family cart or wagon during the season. It allowed time for everyone to slow down and observe a time of reflection and prayer. Indeed!
Here is a quick list of some of the doings during Advent

1. The liturgical color is purple.
   
2. The Advent wreath has four candles, usually 3 purple and 1 pink. The circle of the wreath, which is decorated with evergreens, represents the endlessness of God’s love for us. Each Sunday a new candle is lit until the fourth when they are all alight, symbolizing our approach to the light of God. The pink candle is lit on the 3rd Sunday and represents joy.
   
3. On Christmas Eve a new candle is added to the center which is white. It is the Christ Candle.
   
4. Instead of a Christmas tree, the Chrismon Tree is a popular tradition in some churches. It is decorated with Christian religious symbols in white and gold.
5. How can Advent be important for you this year?
   You can commit to actually read and pray with one of those Advent devotionals that always seem to turn up this time of year. There is an excellent one in the Presbyterian Today by Kathleen Norris.

• Last year I took off my watch for Advent. (I never did put it back on.)
• Turn off the TV. Get quiet. If you just must listen to something, try NPR or PBS for the four weeks. Get quiet so that you might just be able to hear the songs of the angels this year.
• Don’t go to the mall! Instead give gifts this year from your heart. Check out the “everythings a dollar” store. Choose carefully and thoughtfully. Make it a tradition to see who can be the most thoughtful and creative with a dollar gift.
• Volunteer at your local food bank. Count your blessings.
  
  

Advent has become my favorite season in the church. It challenges my commitment to be in the world, but not of it. I now eagerly await the birth of the divine, in me and all around me. It can happen to you as well.
Email me with your suggestions and we’ll post them here!

May the Blessings of Advent Be Upon You!

Pam Bolerjack

Genesis 33 - 50 is the story of Joseph and his brothers. It embodies the promise and blessing of God to all of God's people in times of plenty as well as in lean times. God is the keeper of dreams and guards the promise. Remember that Joseph was the "apple" of his father's eye.

Exodus 16 is about trusting God to always provide.
The entire book of Ruth is a wonderful story about harvest and God, the provider.

All these texts run counter to the world's claim, and particularly our cultures' claim, that there is really not enough. These texts say that there is more than enough. There is plenty! Make the bold claim that you place your trust in God's word instead of what you hear on TV, and then, go live as if you really believed it!

Hymns from the Presbyterian Hymnal: 293, 288, 276, 274, 220, 200, 455, 475, 482,, 551, 553, 554, 555, 558, 559, 560, 564,

This autumn celebrate a "Harvest of Joy!" It will lead you right into Advent already filled with gratitude for God's good gifts..

Blessings.