“The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.” John 1:9
As I have shared in a previous Daily Blessing, liturgically we have been in the season of Ordinary Time, the longest season of the color green. Coming Sunday November 22, it will be Christ the King Sunday, this is the last Sunday on the calendar of the Christian year. A relatively recent addition to the liturgical calendar, Christ the King Sunday was instituted in 1925 by Poe Pius XI in response to the tragedy of World War 1. The color to signify the importance of the day is white. Christ the King Sunday is meant to remind us that in the end, God does reign over all things. Even in the face of our chaotic, divided world that often seems ruled by the forces of darkness that we are to be reminded, as St. Julian of Norwich said in the fourteenth century, “All shall be well, and all matter of things shall be well.”
The following Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is the beginning of the Christian calendar and is the four Sundays before Christmas. During Advent, we prepare for and anticipate the coming of Christ. We remember the longing of Jews for a Messiah and our own longing for and need of forgiveness, salvation and a new beginning. Even as we look back and celebrate the birth of Jesus in a humble stable in Bethlehem, we also look forward anticipating the fulfillment of Christ. The color of Advent is traditionally purple signifying penitence and royalty, some churches have adopted blue as well which is the color of hope.
During Advent we put up an Advent wreath. Advent wreaths originated in Northern Europe among the Lutherans in the 19th century. The circular shape symbolizes God’s endless mercy or eternity that has no beginning or end. The four candles in the wreath represent the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. Three of these candles are purple, the color of penitence. One of the purple candles is lit on the first Sunday of Advent, symbolize the coming of the light of Christ. The fourth candle is rose in color, representing joy, and is lit on the third Sunday of Advent. The three purple candles represent love, hope and peace. The fifth candle is white and is placed in the center of the wreath, the Christ candle, this is lit on Christmas Eve.
Although we are accustomed to celebrating Christmas on a single day, with the color of white or Gold, the Christmas season lasts from sundown December 24 through Epiphany of the Lord which is January 6. This is sometimes referred to as “the 12 days of Christmas” or “Christmastide.” From there we move into the season of Epiphany which last until Ash Wednesday which is the beginning of Lent.
The word “epiphany” means “manifestation” and refers in particular to the manifestation of Jesus as Savior, the extension of salvation not just to the Jews but to the Gentiles, all the peoples of the world. We celebrate three “manifestations” of Jesus in this season. The first is the visit of the Magi, which is rooted in the paschal mystery and the redemption which brings it to the world. The second is Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptizer, when God manifests Godself to the world with the sign of the Holy Spirit (the dove) and the voice from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” The third manifestation we celebrate is Transfiguration Sunday. Where Peter, James and John have a miraculous experience on the mountain top with Jesus when he is transfigured, a true vision of the Divine in Christ and once again hearing the voice from heaven “This is my Beloved Son! Listen to Him!” These manifestations all occur before Ash Wednesday.
As we continue on through our journey of the Christian calendar may the light and love of the coming Christ Child which we celebrate, rest upon you and your home.
“Gentle God, as we begin to enter this season of Advent may our soul dance with excitement. Draw us gently back into your arms of comfort and find rest and the peace that only comes from you. May your light shine in the darkness so that we may always move forward in anticipation of your coming love.” Amen.
Blessings,
Brenda