This Sunday marks the first Sunday of Advent, the start of the liturgical season considered by many to be "little Lent," a time of preparation for the celebration of Christmas. Churches will begin lighting special candles, conducting readings, and pointing their faithful to a set of devotions to be used during this time.
The Rev. Christopher Viscardi of Spring Hill College says Advent "emphasized the world being prepared for the entrance to the world of God's presence in the child Jesus."
While Advent is more of a cultural tradition in countries such as Germany, it takes on a more spiritual meaning in the U.S. "Those who celebrate Advent in this country are more explicitly committed to a religious and spiritual dimension in the celebration of Christmas," he said.
One way to participate in Advent at home is with an Advent wreath. In the Catholic tradition, this involves three purple candles and one rose or pink candle embedded in a wreath, with a white candle set in the center. Some Protestant churches, such as Methodist, have switched to the color blue for the four candles in order to set Advent apart from Lent.
The Rev. Kathy Jorgensen, associate pastor at Dauphin Way United Methodist Church in Mobile, recalls as a single mother of four, setting an Advent wreath on the breakfast table to keep the message front and center. Each evening during the season, the family would share a devotional -- despite a mishap or two.
"Sometimes it was a little less than holy," Jorgensen recalled. "There was always someone running their finger through the flame or trying to blow out the candle from their seat."
Traditionally, one purple candle is lit this Sunday, and another purple added next Sunday. Usually on the third Sunday, known as Gaudette Sunday from the Latin word "to rejoice," the rose or pink candle and two purple candles are lit, followed by all four on the fourth Sunday. The white candle is left untouched until Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
Some churches designate each Sunday with an Advent word: "hope" for the first Sunday followed by "love" for the second, "peace" for the third and "joy" for the fourth.
Walter and Kathryn Brand of Mobile, part of Jorgensen's congregation, eschew the candles in favor of devotions with their two daughters, ages 5 and 2. They use readings they receive by email from the church, usually in the family den or around the table -- "anywhere we can get away from the television," said Walter.
While many churches prepare devotional guides, families can find them in bookstores or online. EWTN, the global Catholic network, offers one version here, but Advent practices aren't contained to Catholics and the more formal Protestant traditions. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association offers this guide, which can be downloaded.
The Rev. Nancy Plum, children's pastor at Christ Anglican Church in Mobile, points out that families can choose other activities, such as a "Jesse Tree," to get the kids involved. A Jesse Tree involves setting up a small tree or evergreen branch and adding certain ornaments marking events from the Christ child's birth going back to Creation.
"The key," said Plum, "is find something to do yourself or as a family to bring the meaning of the season closer to your heart and home."
For more information on the colors of Advent, see also Kay Campbell's article on al.com.
The Rev. Nancy Plum, children's pastor at Christ Anglican Church in Mobile, works with Mary Frances and Brunson to construct a unique Advent wreath using red apples. (Mike Brantley/mbrantley@al.com)
Supplies
10-inch round piece of sturdy cardboard
Green marker
3 purple candles, 6 inches long
1 pink candle, 6 inches long
1 white candle, 6 inches long
5 nails, 2 inches long with flat heads
36-inch green garland
5 Red Delicious apples
Apple corer
Stapler
Directions:
Color the 10-inch cardboard green. Turn the cardboard over and insert the nails about 2 inches from the edge of the cardboard at the 12 o'clock, 3 o'clock, 6 'clock and 9 o'clock positions, and one in the center.
Flip the cardboard back over, and wrap the garland around the edge of the cardboard. Staple the garland down in a couple of spots to secure it in place.
Core the center top of the apples just large enough to fit the end of the candle inside. Push each apple onto a nail. Place a candle in each apple with the white one in the middle.
Snip a few sprigs of garland and poke into the top of the apples.