by Mother Tracy
You may have noticed a
few things last Sunday that were different from what you might have been
expecting for the First Sunday of Advent.
- First of all, the greens were already up in the church and the manger was out.
- Second, we didn’t omit alleluias in the service.
- Third, there was no Great Litany at the beginning of the service.
The reason for these changes is to emphasize that Advent is not merely a "mini-Lent," but
a liturgical season unto itself with a different “feel” and “flavor” than Lent.
Over the years, many churches have come to see Advent as a season of austerity
and self-denial, in the same way that Lent is. But although repentance is a
common theme to both Advent and Lent, Advent is not nearly as penitential as
Lent. Advent also has themes of hope, waiting, expectation, and joy.
So when the Altar Guild
asked me what I wanted to do about transitioning the church from Advent to
Christmas between the morning and evening services on Dec. 24 (since Christmas
Eve falls on a Sunday this year), I suggested they go ahead and put the
greenery out (bare, undecorated) for the entire season of Advent.
Having the bare greens up
for the whole season of Advent gives us a sense of expectation… the wreaths are
up, but no bows yet – no red or gold or any of the Christmas decorations. It’s
almost here – but not yet. If the space looks like it’s unfinished,
half-decorated, that’s the intention! Having things partially present helps to
create that sense of “already, but not yet” that is at the theological heart of
Advent. On Dec. 24 after the morning service, we’ll add all the Christmas
“bling,” and you’ll be amazed by how the space will be transformed for
Christmas.
For the same reason, we
decided to put out the manger on the first Sunday of Advent this year, and
gradually fill it with figures throughout the season. Next week you might see a
few animals show up, then some shepherds, then Mary and Joseph, and finally on
Christmas Eve, the baby Jesus. (And on Epiphany, the three wise men!) The
transition between Advent and Christmas is much more gradual in the liturgy
than the abrupt transition between Lent and Easter, and reflecting this in how
we decorate can bring that to life for us more fully.
As for the alleluias, the
rubrics in the prayer book instruct us to omit alleluias during Lent, but not
during Advent. A number of Advent hymns include the word alleluia and even call
the people to rejoice! (Not very penitential or Lent-like!) The joy is a bit
muted during Advent, but it’s not entirely omitted.
The Prayer Book’s rubrics
instruct us to use the Great Litany "especially in Lent and on Rogation
days." Since Advent is not mentioned in their "especially"
clause in their rubric, I interpret that as meaning that Advent is not a
preferred time to use it in the way that Lent is. Because of its association
with the extremely penitential season of Lent, if we use the Great Litany
during Advent, I think it reinforces that connection between Advent and Lent
that I’d rather not emphasize.
So give yourself
permission to breathe a little easier this Advent, as Amma Eliza’s sermon
encouraged us to do last Sunday. You don’t have to be focused entirely on
repentance. Make room for a little joy, even before Christmas – because
although he’s not here yet, Jesus is coming! That’s something to celebrate,
even before it happens.
