Advent Blessing

Wednesday evening as we sang our way through the Holden Village Advent Evensong, it was a little alarming to see the third Advent candle lit already. Christmas is close. I love the thoughtfulness and anticipation of Advent.

Many Catholics may be surprised to learn that the Advent wreath actually came from Lutherans living in East Germany. It is a simple wreath made of evergreen and adorned with four candles equidistant from each other. They usually correspond to the liturgical colors of the four Sundays of Advent, dark purple or dark blue.

Holy Cross is using the Holden Evening Prayer service by Marty Haugen. Listening to our faith-filled pastor sing the Service of Light was breath taking and singing the 141st Psalm in two parts nearly brought me to tears. It is a beautiful service.

I love it when He Who Must Be Obeyed joins in the singing. Worshiping together is a wonderful way to observe the coming Christmas in a manner that sidesteps the cacophony of the insane commercialism that overtakes some of us. Maybe all of us at one time or another. Tomorrow night he has volunteered to set out the luminaries that for a block guide the visitors to the Living Nativity in the church lawn. A search light will alert that part of the city that the Christ Child lies in the stable; with the camels and donkeys as cold as the choirs of small angels.