Advent is upon us.
The paraments (or the cloths that hang on the pulpit
and drape the communion table) have been changed
from green to purple.
Purple—the color of advent is used because purple
means royalty.
We drape ourselves with purple stoles as a sign that
says “we are preparing for the Royal One to
return.” Of course this is the Christ child.
Advent is four weeks long. A week or so shorter than
Lent.
Lent is most often known for the season where we
give up that which may be a vice to us. During Lent,
many commit to fasting or giving up certain types of
luxuries as a form of penitence. Many Christians
also add a Lenten spiritual discipline, such as
reading a daily devotional, to draw themselves near
to God.
What about Advent?
The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word adventus,
which means “coming” or “visit.” In the season with
this name, we keep in mind both “advents” of Christ,
the first in Bethlehem and the second yet to come.
But what if Advent was a bit more…accessible than
that? What if the second coming is something we are
waiting for and participating in at the same time?
What if Christ’s coming again happens every
time an act of justice occurs or loved is expressed
between people or people and the earth?
What if Advent is in itself a reminder that God is
still with us and that we need not look any further
than within ourselves?
What if we participate in Advent this year with the
understanding that we aren’t waiting for God to show
up but instead we are waiting to show up for God?
