Posted by Mother Laura at RevGalBlogPals
Can you believe that in two days we'll be halfway through Advent? Gaudete Sunday: pink candle on the advent wreath, rose vestments for those who have them, concerts and pageants in many congregations. Time to rejoice!
Can you believe that in two days we'll be halfway through Advent? Gaudete Sunday: pink candle on the advent wreath, rose vestments for those who have them, concerts and pageants in many congregations. Time to rejoice!
Rejoice in the nearness of Christ's coming, yes, but also in the many gifts of the pregnant waiting time when the world (in the northern hemisphere, at least) spins ever deeper into sweet, fertile darkness.
What makes you rejoice about:
1. Waiting?
Anticipation is a lovely thing. Lately, it seems life is moving so fast that anticipation isn't part of the process. Events arrive before I realize they're coming. My life can be described in one word: Vvvrrrrooommm.
Anticipation is a lovely thing. Lately, it seems life is moving so fast that anticipation isn't part of the process. Events arrive before I realize they're coming. My life can be described in one word: Vvvrrrrooommm.
2. Darkness?
I love candles, Christmas preparations, snow days, frosty windows, a warm place by the fire, a book, hot cocoa and dinner with friends.3. Winter?
Cold. Cold. Cold. Wet. Wet. Wet. Finally, the sun has broken through the clouds and dense fog of the last few days and I am so grateful. Today is the kind of winter day I love -- crisp and bracing.4. Advent?
I haven't really observed Advent this year, but I have lovely childhood memories of lighting Advent candles at church and at home.5. Jesus' coming?
If you mean Christmas, I'm ready, but the second coming, not so much. It's impossible to separate the two anyway. As Sally noted, "we cannot take the Easter out of Christmas."
One Palm Sunday, a number of years ago, my then four-year-old son looked up at me during the reading of the Passion Play, stricken, and sobbed, "You mean they killed the Baby Jesus!" He was inconsolable at the injustice of it all. I've never looked at a nativity scene the same way since.
5 comments:
I'll never forget trying to explain Palm Sunday to my niece when she was about the same age. She said, "This is a MEAN church! This is a SAD church!" Well, yes. But...and...
Oh, the poor thing! What a terrible realization!
#5 is so powerful. Wow.
Yes, I hear you on the "Vvvrrrrooommm"!
And, your story about your then 4-year-old is poignant...
your four year old had it right! reminds me of the 3rd grader who heard the passion story the first time (new to church) and said, "Why did they kill him? He was a NICE GUY!"
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