Last night our Parish gathered in our darkened Church to celebrate the beginning of a New Church year, the season known as Advent. Our service this year, though shortened from the traditional 9 lessons, was a beautiful and very powerful service. The entire Nave glowed with the dozens of flickering candles, and the Church was filled with a transcendent light.
The reason we do this Festival at the beginning of Advent, is to focus our minds on the journey from Spiritual Darkness to the overcoming Light of Christ. We start our journey in Genesis, and end with the Incarnation of St. John's first chapter.
This is why I think it is important and life enhancing, to celebrate the Church Year with its seasons, feasts, fasts, and festivals. Join me in the prayers and lessons that begin our Advent Journey from Darkness to Light.
Dear People of God: In the Season of Advent, it is our responsibility and joy to prepare ourselves to hear once more the message of the Angels, to go to Bethlehem and see the Son of God lying in a manger.
Let us hear and heed in Holy Scripture the story of God’s loving purpose from the time of our rebellion against Him until the glorious redemption brought to us by His holy Child Jesus, and let us look forward to the yearly remembrance of His birth with hymns and songs of praise.
The First Lesson Genesis 3:8-15
God announces in the garden of Eden that the seed of the woman will bruise the serpent's head.
The Second Lesson Genesis 22:1-3, 9-18
God promises to Abraham that in his seed all the nations of the earth will be blessed.
The Third Lesson Isaiah 9:2,6-7; 11:1-5,10
Christ's birth and kingdom are foretold by the prophet Isaiah.
The Fourth Lesson Micah 5:2-4
The prophet Micah foretells the glory of the village of Bethlehem.
The Fifth Lesson Luke 1:26-35,38
The angel announces the birth of Christ to the virgin Mary.
The Sixth Lesson Luke 2:1-7
Luke tells of Christ's birth.
The Seventh Lesson Luke 2:8-16
Angels proclaim Christ's birth and the Shepherds go to the manger.
The Eighth Lesson Matthew 2:1-11
The Wise Men are led by the star to Jesus.
The Ninth Lesson John 1:1-14
The apostle John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation.
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