As the movement grew and came into contact with
other religions in the larger Roman world it found many people
willing to convert but not give up their special pagan holidays.
Syncretism is the term for melding religious traditions.
In the year 529, Emperor Justinian declared a civic
holiday on December 25, an action that prohibited any work to
be done on that day. In 567, the Council of Tours established
the season of Advent as a time of fasting preceding Christmas
An Advent Wreath
The origins of the Advent wreath are somewhat obscure. But it
is thought that the first Advent wreath originated in Germany or
France within the tradition of the Lutheran church.
*A circle of wire, represents the unending love of God.
Unity Church of
Christianity
A P l a c e o f Pe a c e
The History of Advent
What we have come to accept as the story of the birth
of Jesus of Nazareth and the Christmas holy day is a curious
mix of Christian and pagan rituals. In the years following
Jesus’ death and resurrection, his birth was not celebrated as
witnessed by the absence of a birth narrative in the Gospel of
Mark written in the early 70’s. The birth account in the
Gospels of Matthew and Luke written in the 80’s differ in
every detail except for the names of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
No one knows what time of the year the historical Jesus was
born.
Advent
*Evergreens adorning the wreath symbolize eternal life.
*Four candles are set in the wreath representing the four
weeks until Christmas Day. The lighting of an additional candle
each week marks the growing anticipation for the Light who
came into the world.
Traditionally a purple or dark blue candle is used for
the first second and fourth Sunday and a pink candle for the
third Sunday representing God's love for us.
*Central candle is usually a large pillar candle that remains
unlit during the Advent season. This candle is lit during the
Christmas Eve service to symbolize the awakening of the Christ
presence that dwells within.
December 6, 2009
Peace is a multifaceted word. It can mean a state of inner
tranquility, security, harmony and balance. It can mean a freedom
from fear. The word can be used to describe both an inner, as well
as, an outer state of being. It also means to become still.
Elie Wiesel writes “God made humanity because he loves
stories.” All of creation can sing of success for we are addicted to
stories. Indeed Christmas is the story of God and God in us. We love
to tell stories of God and God’s activity in our lives and at the very
same time we are the living embodiment of the story that God tells.
This is what incarnation means, God is made flesh.
Prepare the heart
The heavenly chorus sang of peace at the announcement of
this joyous news, this awakening of humanity to its divine inheritance.
The story of Christmas is our soul story of realizing again and again we
are made in the image of God and therefore inherently good, beautiful
and filled with light. We are the holy child of promise this season.
A Place of Peace
The Second Sunday of Advent
The nights of advent are long, dark and cold. Yet within my heart there is
a place of warmth, light and peace. This place is sacred and holy, it is a
place of deep stillness. It matters not what is happening in the outer
world, my soul is rooted in this silence, stillness and peace. This is what
it means to dwell in the house of God. Here is the place I wait with an
expectant heart for the new birth, the new revelation to my life, God’s
holy presence within me.
Sunday
(Psalms 26:8)
O Lord, I love the house in which you dwell, and the place where your
glory abides.
Monday
1. Purchase or make an advent wreath for your home
(see back)
2. Create a small worship service each night
light candle, read passage, answer questions
(2 Thessalonians 3:16)
May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way.
Tuesday
(Philippians 4:9)
[Paul speaking] What you have learned and received and heard and
seen in me— practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
3. Pray for others by focusing your thoughts on our
prayer tree and requests
Wednesday (Matthew 10:13)
4. Sing or listen to an inspirational Christmas Carol
As you enter a house, greet it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace
come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.
What kind of peace are you longing for this Christmas?
It is important to note that when Jesus was born, the angels
sang, but nothing to the outer appearance of things had changed.
Israel was still under control of the Romans, a captive nation breaking
under its bondage. How they longed for the fulfillment of prophesy, to
bring peace and freedom to their land yet, they failed to see the birth
of the child of love. For this was the child who would lead them
“home” to the inner sanctuary of peace.
The stories of God always start with “long ago,” even as they
end with “right now.”
Thursday
(Galatians 5:22)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Friday
(Mark 4:39)
And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be
still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Saturday
(Matthew 21:13)
God’s house shall be called a house of prayer.