Advent Resources
On the First Sunday of Advent our altar hangings change to blue and we set up our Advent wreath with three blue candles and one pink. While purple (or violet) is the color of penance and sacrifice first used during Lent and subsequently during Advent in the Roman Catholic Church, blue is a recovery of an ancient English tradition stemming from Salisbury Cathedral, and so it is referred to as sarum blue. (Sarum being the ancient Latin name for Salisbury.) While the deep blue conveys a feeling of solemnity, because of its association with the Blessed Virgin Mary, it also conveys the Advent themes of hope and expectation. On the Third Sunday of Advent, we light a pink candle, marking that Sunday as Gaudete Sunday, reflecting the opening words of the ancient introit appointed for the day: Rejoice in the Lord, always!
Other Worship & Formation Opportunities during Advent
Watch here for Advent worship and formation opportunities at St. John’s and at other parishes of the Rockland Collaboration and in the Rockland Deanery.
Does your family have an Advent Wreath?
We light the wreath at St. John’s each Sunday of Advent, but we know many families have their own wreaths at home that they light each day, increasing the number of candles lit each week. Often the wreath is created out of evergreens, symbolizing everlasting life in the midst of winter and death as the evergreen is continuously green. The circle reminds us of God’s unending love and the eternal life God makes possible. (The photo is the wreath made by the Kim family.) Other families choose five of their most beautiful candlesticks, arrange them in a circle, and light taper candles each week. Others have wooden or ceramic candle holders. We would love to see pictures of your wreaths!
A Liturgy for Lighting the Advent Wreath
Here are prayers you might want to use at home when you light your Advent wreath.
If you’re looking for a way to help a child you love think about their Christmas list differently, print this letter from United Thank Offering. This one-page letter offers fill-in-the-blank areas. One way to show Santa how nice you’ve been this year is to tell him what you’re grateful for!
#AdventWord is a popular hashtag among Episcopalians during Advent. Join an international community of prayer this Advent season. This is sponsored by Forward Movement. Let us wait for the birth of Christ together.
Advent Calendars An Advent calendar helps us to mark the days of Advent as we move towards Christmas. Advent Calendars seems to have moved beyond the traditional chocolate behind each door. Some St. John’s families have advent calendars with tea, Legos, or cheese! What is behind the door each day at your house?
Here and here are others that allow you to pray and doodle each day. There are also printed copies of these in the narthex.
St. Nicholas Day
Discover some ways to celebrate St. Nicholas Day (December 6) from Episcopal Relief and Development