Advent is a season that challenges us to hope.
The readings from the First Sunday of Advent are difficult. Jesus predicts the end times and Jeremiah is writing to a people in despair. While there is not hint of Christmas in the readings, there is the challenge to hold on to hope.
Advent is a season of preparation for the coming of Christ in glory and in the incarnation. Because it is a season that focuses on preparation, many of our churches use purple (which is also used in Lent). But some of our churches use blue (as in the photo above). This blue is called sarum blue. Some folks see the introduction of sarum blue as a way to sell more vestments and church stuff, but it is a recovery of an Anglican tradition from Salisbury Cathedral. Sarum being the ancient Latin name for Salisbury. The use of blue differentiates the hopeful preparation of Advent from the more penitential preparation of Lent.
So whether your candles are purple or blue, remember that Advent is about preparing ourselves to be people of hope even in difficult times!
A sermon from St. Paul’s in Greensboro:
Principal text: Psalm 25:1-9
Coming next
Our readings will continue to focus on the prophets, and we will meet John the Baptist for the first time this Advent season!
Dec. 5 - St. Barnabas, Roanoke - 2nd Sunday of Advent
Dec. 12 - Messiah, Heflin - 3rd Sunday of Advent
Dec. 19 - Messiah, Heflin - 4th Sunday of Advent
Dec. 24 - St. Barnabas, Roanoke, & Messiah, Heflin - Christmas Eve
Dec. 26 - St. Paul’s, Greensboro - 1st Sunday after Christmas
ICYMI: