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Monday, December 5, 2011

What does Advent mean to you?

The meaning of Advent has been weaving through my inner thoughts over the past week. It's a term I rarely heard spoken as a child and definitely never celebrated in my Evangelical upbringing. But as an adult who now runs in more progressive/liturgical Christian circles, I hear this word regularly and only wish I knew of its meaning. It's more than calendars, small presents, and candle lightings, right? I am hoping that Advent is more than some "25 days of Christmas" sort of thing. So what is it, exactly?
My sister and her husband have decided to celebrate Advent this year by doing something Christmas-y each day in December...ice skating, going to light parades, making Christmas cards, etc.
A blogger in my church fellowship is writing on his personal journey with the weekly themes of Advent.My little home church welcomed the season of Advent last night with a candlelit labyrinth. We spent time walking and reflecting on our journeys and the things we carry, symbolized by stones we literally carried in our hands along the walk. We stopped at various stations along the way to offer thanks, appreciate God's goodness, participate in hope, and experience peace as we let go of the stones/burdens of our lives.
Yet still, I am searching for what is at the heart of the season of Advent. I have heard it is to be a time that we prepare for the coming of our Lord. Beautiful language that often evades me. And so I open up this conversation to you...
What does the Advent season mean to you this year?
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1 comment:

  1. DaniDecember 5, 2011 at 7:56 PM

    25 days of Christmas, for us, is just a start. It's not "advent," but it is a way for us to be more deliberate about making memories in the city we've chosen to call home amidst the monotony of our routines. But I did like this post about advent from one of my favorite bloggers:

    http://lollytruly.blogspot.com/2011/12/im-figuing-out-advent.html

    I seek the depth that she speaks of about advent, and I'm hopeful that someday I can find a church that matches that depth and nuance.

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