Celebrating Seven Weeks of Advent

Advent begins on November 10! Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

  • Advent is a time of joyful waiting and anticipation for Jesus- God- who came into our world as a little child in Bethlehem, at a particular point of time in the past; who comes into our hearts and lives in the present; and who will come again in triumph and glory.  It is a time to reflect on the meaning of this coming- how God comes in judgment and saving action; how God establishes a rule of peace; how the people of God live; how in this child, the Messiah, God brings us fullness of life and hope.

  • The celebration of Advent has had a long and varied history. The early church did not even celebrate Christmas until the fourth century.  About this time, in Spain and Gaul, days/weeks were also set aside to prepare for that celebration- a season known as Advent. It was a time of fasting and penance looking more towards the Second Coming of Christ and judgment, rather than the birth of Jesus.  

    A century or so later, in Rome, the preparation was more festive, looking forward with joy and hope to the birth of Jesus.  Eventually, the themes of joy and penance were combined and today we observe Advent as a period of spiritual preparation and anticipation of the coming of Jesus.

  • In the Western church, Advent has usually been celebrated for four weeks although it varied in length from a few days up to seven weeks, depending on locale. 

    This year UDLC will celebrate for 7 weeks.

    This gives us more time to reflect on the meaning of Jesus’s birth.  What does it mean that God comes in judgment and saving action? How does God establish a rule of peace? How are we, the people of God, to live, here and now? How does God bring us fullness of life and hope through this child, the Messiah?  

    As you listen to the scripture readings, sing the hymns and pray the prayers this Advent, open your hearts and minds to God’s presence.  Reflect on what it means for you that God has taken on human form for our sakes.  How does this make a difference in your life?  What difference will it make in the world around you?

Adapted from R. E. Bornemann, “Advent Season Begins”, bulletin insert, and Gilbert B Furst, “Advent, A Season of Seasons”, p. 35

ADVENT 1: Sapientia - O Come, thou Wisdom, from on high

This week we sing, O come, thou Wisdom from on high… show us the path of knowledge and teach us to follow in her ways.  Jesus is the wisdom that comes from God.  He invites us to walk with him, learning what it means to be a disciple and to participate in fullness of life and love. As you listen to the scripture readings, the hymns and prayers this week, open your heart & mind to God’s wisdom – allow Jesus to be a light to your path.

The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
(Isaiah 11:2)

ADVENT 2: Adonai - O Come, thou Lord of Might

This week we sing, O come, o come thou Lord of might…who in ancient times didst give the law, in cloud, and majesty, and awe. Adonai is the sacred title for God which we translate as “Lord”. This title for Jesus connects us with our Hebrew ancestors who experienced the power and might of God as God brought them out of Egypt into the promised land. God guided and provided for them and gave them the Law, so they might continue to be formed into a people and have fullness of life. Jesus is God, come in human form, to call us back into relationship, to renew and enliven the covenant. When have you experienced the power and might of God in your life?

For the Lord is our judge; the Lord is our ruler;
the Lord is our king; he will save us.
(Isaiah 33:22)

ADVENT 3: Rex Gentium - O Come, ruler of nations

This week we sing, O come, Desire of nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind; bid thou our sad divisions cease, and be thyself our King of Peace.  Today we celebrate Christ the King along with Advent 3.  This feast anticipates the coming of God’s reign in its fullness- a time of peace, justice, and life for all people and creation. Jesus is the one who binds us together.  We are called to work with God to bring about this kingdom here and now.  What will you do this week to alleviate the sad divisions in our world?

[The Lord] shall judge between the nations,
and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more. (Isaiah 2:4)

ADVENT 4: Radix Jesse - O Come, Root of Jesse

Today we sing, O come, thou Branch of Jesse’s tree, free them from Satan’s tyranny that trust thy mighty power to save, and give them vict’ry o’er the grave. Jeremiah and Isaiah prophesied that one day, a new king would rise from the destroyed house of David to bring justice and peace to all the earth. Jesus is that long expected one, bringing new hope, new life and salvation to all people. What can you do to increase your faith and trust in this promise?

A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch shall grow out of his roots. (Is. 11:1)

In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David,
and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. (Jer. 33:15)

ADVENT 5: Clavis David - O Come, thou key of David come,

This week we sing, O come, thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heavenly home; make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery.  As we hear John the Baptist and Malachi calling us to prepare the way for the Lord, we recognize our need for repentance and forgiveness.  Jesus comes as the Key of David, willing and able to free us from all that binds us and prevents us from deepening our relationship with God, fellow humans and creation. From what do you need to be freed?  What can you do to help free others?

I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David;
he shall open, and no one shall shut; he shall shut, and no one shall open. (Isaiah 22:22)

ADVENT 6: Oriens - O come, thou Dayspring (Dawn) from on high! 

This week we sing, O come, thou Dayspring from on high… disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadow put to flight.  Jesus is the light springing forth like the dawn, bringing hope to a world struggling with fear, disappointment, and injustice.   Jesus ushers in a new era of salvation.  “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) 

What does it mean for you that God comes to us named as “Dayspring” (“Dawn”)?  What shadows do you wish to be dispersed/scattered? 

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; 
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shone. (Isaiah 9:2) 

ADVENT 7: Emmanuel - O Come, Emmanuel – “God with us” 

This week we sing, O Come, o come Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel…, Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures we see God continually reaching out to rescue, guide and bring people back into relationship.  And now, God comes as a human!  Jesus lives with us, Emmanuel!  Jesus is not distant or disconnected- Jesus has experienced our life.  Jesus brings us to fullness of life and is with us forever.  What difference does it make in your life to know that you are not alone- but that God is with you? 

 “Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son, 
and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means, “God is with us”.
(Mt. 1:23; Is. 7:14) 

A Note about O Antiphons

The “O Antiphons” are a set of medieval refrains originally used before and after the singing of The Magnificat. They were in use in the eighth century.  Each invokes the Messiah [Christ] under a different title derived from the Hebrew Scriptures.  This title is then amplified and followed by an appeal to come and save us in a particular way.  Around the twelfth century, they were collected into a Latin verse hymn, which was later translated by John Mason Neale, finally becoming the beloved Advent hymn “O come, O come, Emmanuel” (ELW Hymn 257).

We will be using one title each week during Advent to highlight a different aspect of who Christ is.  We invite you to reflect on what each title means and how that characteristic/aspect might help you grow in faith, hope and love.