Area churches were invited to share about Advent, their traditions, symbols and what their focus will be this season. Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Dec. 25. This year the first day of Advent is Sunday, Nov. 29. It is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Christ. Advent is traditionally observed in the more liturgical churches. The first Sunday of Advent is the first Sunday of the new church year in the Catholic, Episcopal and Lutheran traditions. Here are some of the responses in alphabetical order by denomination.
Baptist
The observance of Advent is not part of the Baptist tradition. However, the folks at First Baptist plan to celebrate the season with their “Faith Like A Child” sermon series. Associate Pastor Ben Sprankle invites the community, “to join the Family Church as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Savior of the World, and hope that you too may experience ‘faith like a child.’” There will also be special music throughout the season.
Bill and Jeanine Walker will join the Praise Team on Nov. 29. Walker has been in the music industry for more than 42 years and continues to write, arrange and perform. He has arranged music for Johnny Cash, Eddy Arnold and the Statler Brothers.
Catholic
“Advent is a time of waiting and of preparation and of gratitude for Christ’s presence here and now,” said Hilda Brosky, chairperson of San Marco Catholic Church’s Liturgy Committee. Through his coming, his life, death and resurrection, we have been saved.” Advent has a penitential tone, but is not as somber as Lent. This is reflected in the colors of pink and purple in the priest’s vestments, altar hangings and Advent wreath.
The Advent wreath is the primary symbol for Advent in the Catholic Church and has a position of honor in the sanctuary. The wreath is blessed on the first Sunday of Advent. Families from the parish light a candle each week. “The wreath represents the cycle of thousands of years from Adam to Christ, during which the world awaited the coming of the Redeemer. It also represents the cycle of years since then that we have been awaiting His second and final coming in glory. It bears four candles, equally spaced; three purple, which are lighted on the three ‘penitential’ Sundays, and a rose-colored one for the third and joyful Sunday in Advent,” said Brosky. Parishioners are encouraged to have an Advent wreath in their homes.
The Council of Catholic Women will host a 5:30 p.m. Advent by Candlelight Service on Friday, Dec. 4. There will also be two penance services, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17 and on 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18.
Congregational
Each Sunday in Advent, selected members of the United Church of Marco Island will light an Advent candle. There are four candles, one each for peace, hope, love and joy. The congregation will also have a Hanging of the Greens celebration on the second Sunday of Advent. They will gather in their fellowship hall for a light supper and then proceed to decorate the church. On Dec. 20, the church will rent a trolley and a group of parishioners will go caroling to parish shut-ins.
They also have several fellowship events that the planned for Advent: a silent auction and live auction on Dec. 5; movie night Friday Dec. 11; and Pastor Richard Adair will speak on his mission Church in Alaska at the Women’s Fellowship Christmas pot luck luncheon on Dec. 7.
Episcopal
Advent is a time of preparation and reconciliation for St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. It is a time to prepare for the birth of Christ. Nanette Moll, the church’s office administrator, explained that the color purple was the traditional color for both Lent and Advent, but many within the denomination wanted to make a distinction between the two times.
To prepare for the birth of Christ, the white cloth and all silver and gold are removed from the altar. They are replaced with an alter cloth and simple earthenware pottery, all in shades of blue and all made by members of the church. They will also have a traditional advent wreath on the altar.
Unique to St. Mark’s is the tradition of having Mary, Joseph and the donkey at the back of the church. Each Sunday of Advent, the trio moves up one window closer to the altar, representing Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem for the birth of Christ. The week before Christmas, a crèche appears in the front of the church.
New this year will be shadowboxes at each of the sanctuary windows, made by artists in the church. Each box will contain a Bible verse and represent a different aspect of the incantation. There will also be special times of meditation in the church’s labyrinth. “We want to relish the time of preparation, to quietly prepare our heart and mind,” said Moll. No Christmas hymns are sung at St. Mark’s until Dec. 24.
Independent Christian
Capri Christian Church does not celebrate the Advent tradition. However, they prepare for and celebrate the Christmas season with Christ at the center of every event. “Jesus is the reason for the season,” said Senior Pastor Curt Ayers.
Lutheran
“Advent is a time of preparation and anticipation,” said the Rev. Kevin Koenig, senior pastor of Marco Lutheran Church. “It comes from a Latin word that means to draw near or to come near. As we draw near to the celebration of Christ’s birth, we prepare our hearts in repentance and grace, looking forward to the celebration of Christmas. Behind the cradle of Christ is the cross, for we recognize that He came to suffer and die and rise again, that we in faith may have forgiveness and eternal life.”
They have an Advent wreath in the chancel of the sanctuary. Each Sunday in Advent, there are special readings and a candle on the wreath is lit. There are three blue candles and one pink candle. Koenig explained that there are many meanings for candles: rophecy, shepherds, angels and joy. “In the center is a white candle that is lit on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to symbolize the birth of Jesus, the light of the world,” said Keonig. Special devotionals are available to the parish during Advent and the congregation are encouraged use them everyday.
On Sunday, Dec. 6, the church will once again host their Choir Cantata, “Ring the Bells.” On that day, there will be only one service, at 10 a.m., so that the entire congregation can come together to share in the presentation.
“‘Ring the Bells’ is a celebration of the advent season through a variety of musical styles,” said Craig Greusel, the church’s director of music “As we prepare to welcome the Christ child on Christmas, we need to ready the bells that will announce His birth. By establishing a time of worship centered on the musical settings for this period, we create within our hearts a true anticipation of the events which are soon upon us.” Other symbols that play a part in Marco Lutheran’s tradition are a Christmas tree, a nativity scene in front of the altar made of olive wood from Israel, special candles and poinsettias.
Presbyterian
Marco Presbyterian Church has a rich history of celebrating the Advent season, explained Rev. Bill Lyle the church’s senior pastor. This year, an Advent sermon series will focus on the historical Christian symbols of Christmas and explore how the church celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ through the ages. The series starts on the first Sunday of Advent and the titles are: “God’s Plan Seen in Symbols,” “God’s Plan Seen in Prophecy,” “God’s Plan Seen in Ministry” and “God’s Plan Seen in the Manger.”
These symbols may be seen on a Chrismon tree that will be erected on Nov. 27 when the church sanctuary is decorated. A Chrismon tree is an evergreen decorated with gold Chrismon ornaments and tiny white lights. The evergreen symbolizes the eternal life that Christ has won for us. The ornaments are Christian symbols that proclaim the name, the life and the saving acts of Jesus the Christ. Some Chrismon designs are simple copies of symbols that have been used in the earliest days of Christianity. Others are new explanations of God’s constant presence in our ever-changing world. The lights speak of the Christ who is the light of the world. The Presbyterians also plan to go Christmas caroling on Dec. 20.
“I love this season, because we stand in a unique place in history,” said Lyle. We look back at the First Advent and look forward to the Second Advent –the second coming of our Savior.”
Be sure to watch for holiday worship events and updates in our calendar, including the first annual Marco Island Community Chanukah Celebration, sponsored by the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island and Jewish Federation of Collier County.
Kathleen Tuttle, a Marco Island resident since 1987, has written articles for various nonprofits for more than 25 years. She is a community volunteer, former science teacher and microbiologist.
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