Advent at Redeemer
Advent: A Season for Making Space
The Monastery’s Cloister
The functional arrangement of the monastery acts an essential part of the overall spiritual formation of the participant. The cloister is a quiet space in the middle of the structure, surrounded by various distractions. A fountain representing the water of life is often found at the center of this empty place (John 4:13-14). It is an open, uncrowded space to hear from God—a place for monastery residents and guests still themselves before the gaze of God.
The cloister is a reminder of the need to make space in our hearts—an uncrowded place where God meets us and refreshes us with the water of life. As we walk through what is often the busiest time of the year, let us live in contrast to the craziness by uncluttering and making space to sit before God with unveiled faces.
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18
Making Space this Season: A Refreshing Alternative
Advent: From the Latin for “to come”.
In Advent we anticipate Christ’s second coming.
In view of the return of our Lord, Advent is a time of preparation.
During Advent we slow ourselves to listen and repent.
This season provides an opportunity to practice waiting—building
expectation and instilling hope.
While the world is consumed with hurry and stress—the church displays a different way; offering a refreshing alternative to the craziness that has become of the season. Remember, Christmas is a season that begins on the Day of the Nativity (December 25th) and lasts for 12 days. Culturally, the celebration has shifted to before the Nativity, which illustrates the temptation to bypass having to wait for the ‘good’ stuff. Consider how this conditions us as Christians? For example, before a baby is born we prepare and rest in anticipation. Then we celebrate the arrival of the expected gift. Therefore, use Advent to “Nest,” so to speak, as we prayerfully seek to remove the clutter from our lives. Then, following this period of preparation, we party throughout Christmas in celebration of Christ’s birth!
Making Space in Worship: The Sound and Feel of Advent
We make space in our Sunday Eucharist services during the Advent season.
The “Alleluias” and bells are eliminated from the liturgy during Advent.
The sanctuary is adorned with purple and the Advent Wreath is introduced to mark time.
Space for preparation and contemplation is provided in the sanctuary before mass.
Making Space for Community: Special Events
November 27, Potluck and Advent Wreath-Making
December 6, Feast of St. Nicholas Celebration & Donations
Making Space for Prayer: The Daily Office
Our prayer book was composed in part to make monastic prayer accessible to lay people: people with jobs, families, and other demands on their time. Find Morning Prayer, Midday Prayer, Evening Prayer and Compline at the very beginning of your prayer book, or try Family Prayer (pgs 67—75) for shorter prayers. The daily readings for advent are found in the lectionary, on pages 760—763 of your prayer book.
Ideas for observing Advent
Daily Prayer
Read the Daily Office readings in your Book of Common Prayer (beginning on page 11) or join us for Morning Prayer at the church and on Zoom, Tuesdays at 7:00am.
Make Space in your Home
Slowly and gradually decorate your home: weekly add a new layer (Christmas lights, stockings, etc) in conjunction with lighting another candle in the advent wreath.
Incorporate Advent Hymns
Sing "O Come O Come Emmanuel" before bed, maybe before Compline or Family Prayer at Night.
Create Space at Meal Time
Wait 15-20 seconds at the table before eating to symbolize waiting for Christ to come.
Take on a Tactile Practice
Work on a puzzle, knit/crochet/embroider, mend clothing, whittle wood, fold paper stars, string a garland—find a craft that helps you slow down time.
Jesse Tree
There are many variations of this concept, but the idea is that each day of Advent, you read a little more of the story of the Bible leading up to Christ's birth on December 25. In addition to the readings, this book has several sets of paper ornaments to color, cut out, and hang each day which is good for several years or different ages of children. Also available for free is a Jesus Storybook Bible reading plan with ornaments to print & color which would be great for younger children or a multi-age family. *Some Advent observers decorate their Christmas tree with ONLY the Jesse Tree ornaments until Christmas Eve when they bring out all the rest of the ornaments. It can be a good way to emphasize this time of expectation.
Advent Paper Chain
This is a fun way, especially for very small children, to visualize the days of Advent and prepare for the celebration of Christmas. Cut colorful paper into strips, tape the ends to make the first link, then each day add one more link to the chain. Looks lovely strung across a doorway or as a growing garland for your tree.
Amaryllis Bulb
Like the paper chain, this is a great watching and waiting exercise. I find the bulbs you can find in stores (like Trader Joe's, for example) dipped in wax usually bloom about Christmas time. It is marvelous to watch the progress of the plant and its beautiful blooms.
Advent Family Playlist
Kenda has put together an Advent playlist for families: listen to it here.
Books for Kids
Counting to Christmas by Gail Pawlitz - This book is a good, brief, all-in-one Advent family devotional resource. It has little doors to open, scripture, stories, activity ideas and great wondering questions about the season.
Hallelujah: Cultivating Advent traditions with Handel's Messiah by Cindy Rollins - This book is just what it says; a little of Handel's Messiah each day which, like the Jesse Tree, is made up of the prophecies and signs foretelling Christ's birth. Contains other devotional ideas, recipes, and inspiration. An overall great way to add a beautiful musical element to your Advent devotion.
Little Way Chapel Family Advent Guide
This is a lovely all-in-one guide with daily scripture readings, prayers, activities, and more to guide your family through the season. Fairly inexpensive, but you do need to print it yourself.
Journey to Bethlehem
If you have a set of Nativity figurines, pick a place, perhaps your prayer table, to set up the stable and manger. Each night or early morning, place Mary, Joseph and the donkey somewhere different in your house. Children can hunt for them each morning! On Christmas Eve, Mary and Joseph can finally arrive at the stable and on Christmas day Baby Jesus can join the scene.
Advent Wreaths at Home
If you’ve got an Advent wreath at home, you can light it each week and pray through a special liturgy. Download the Advent Wreath Prayer Guide at the link below!
Gaudete Sunday
What does the pink candle on the Advent wreath represent?
The third Sunday of Advent is called ‘Gaudete,’ meaning in Latin, ’rejoice.’ This is taken from the passage in Philippians 4:4-5, stating,"rejoice in the Lord always."
The readings for the day include themes of rejoicing:
Isaiah, says, “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord.”
1 Thessalonians, states, “Rejoice always.”