The Pink Flamingo :: Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord

Advent is a time of waiting, introspection, giving, and confession of sin. We are waiting for the arrival of Christmas and the “birth” of Christ. There is more to Advent than cute little calendars, parties, shopping, and decorating. Advent is a time of anticipation. It is a time of waiting. It is a time of “coming”. Next to Lent, it is the most meditative time of the church year.

WHAT IS ADVENT?
Advent was not added to the church calendar until around 600AD, making the last “season” to be officially added. Once it was added, it was made the “First” season of the church year because it starts a cycle of the life of Christ: Birth, Death and Resurrection. It always begins four Sundays before Christmas
We’re back to Year A – which means the Episcopal church is using Matthew for readings until next Advent.

OLD TESTAMENT READING
Isaiah 2:1-5
The word that Isaiah son of
Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

In days to come  the mountain of the LORD's house  shall be established as the highest of the mountains,  and shall be raised above the hills;  all the nations shall stream to it.  Many peoples shall come and say,  "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,  to the house of the God of Jacob;  that he may teach us his ways  and that we may walk in his paths. " For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,  and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.  He shall judge between the nations,  and shall arbitrate for many peoples;  they shall beat their swords into plow shares,  and their spears into pruning hooks ; nation shall not lift up sword against nation,  neither shall they learn war any more.  O house of Jacob,  come, let us walk  in the light of the LORD!

ADVENT WREATHS
Advent Wreaths are created in greens with 5 candles – three purple or blue, one rose (representing Mary – the Third Sunday) and white in the center, representing the Birth of Christ. They were part of pre-Christian folk practices of Germanic peoples of Eastern Europe. They are to be lighted each day for a short period of time until December 25. There is a prayer for each week of advent.

A Rite for the Beginning of Advent at Home

The first day the wreath is in the home, the leader may say:

As our nights grow longer and our days grow short, we look on these earthly signs--light and green branches-- and remember God's promise to our world: Christ, our Light and our Hope, will come. Listen to the words of Isaiah the prophet:
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; on those who lived in a land as dark as death a light has dawned. You have increased their joy and given them gladness; They rejoice in your presence as those who rejoice at harvest, as warriors exult when dividing spoil. Is. 9:1-2
Then all pray:
O God, rejoicing, we remember the promise of your Son. As the light from this candle, may the bless of Christ come upon us, brightening our way and guiding us by his truth. May Christ our Savior bring life into the darkness of our world, and to us, as we wait for his coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
Then the first candle is lighted.

WEEKLY ADVENT PRAYERS

First Week
O Emmanuel, Jesus Christ, desire of every nation, Savior of all peoples, come and dwell among us.
Second Week
O King of all nations, Jesus Christ, only joy of every heart, come and save your people.
Third Week
O Key of David, Jesus Christ, the gates of heaven open at your command, come and show us the way to salvation.
Fourth Week
O Wisdom, holy Word of God, Jesus Christ, all things are in your hands, come and show us the way to salvation.

THE PSALM
Psalm 122 Page 779, BCP
Laetatus sum

1
I was glad when they said to me, *
"Let us go to the house of the LORD."
2
Now our feet are standing *
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
3
Jerusalem is built as a city *
that is at unity with itself;
4
To which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD, *
the assembly of Israel,
to praise the Name of the LORD.
5
For there are the thrones of judgment, *
the thrones of the house of David.
6
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: *
"May they prosper who love you.
7
Peace be within your walls *
and quietness within your towers.
8
For my brethren and companions' sake, *
I pray for your prosperity.
9
Because of the house of the LORD our God, *
I will seek to do you good."

NEW TESTAMENT
Romans 13:8-14

Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet"; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

THE GOSPEL
Matthew 24:37-44

Jesus said to the disciples, "For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour."