Learn about “Long Advent”

For most western Christians, Advent will begin on November 29 and last for the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. But in its formative years in the fifth and sixth centuries, this rich season of the liturgical year was observed for a longer period of six or seven weeks.

Because Advent often seems to be swallowed up by commercialism, by November 29 we will have been shopping in stores decked out in their Christmas finery since the day after Halloween. The problem with this is that it eclipses the primary focus of Advent: preparing for the “advent” of the Prince of Peace and of the reign of God.

That is why there is a movement within the Episcopal Church to enter more fully into the riches of Advent by taking the season back to its roots and observing it for seven weeks. Such a move not only gives us more time to live into “holy waiting” for our celebration of the birth of the Christ child; it reminds us that we also await Christ’s last coming, when the Reign of God will be fully realized.

Rev. Laurie will lead an event on Sunday, October 18, to discuss the practice of Long Advent and what is will look like at St. Peter’s this year. Come and see if “adventizing” for this longer period doesn’t enrich your yearning for God’s Reign and energize your engagement in working toward its full manifestation.