The end of the year is a time of anticipation for many of us.
How will we close one chapter of our lives and open another? What gifts could this season bring? Will we find the year ahead to be better than the one before? Advent is an ancient tradition of anticipating what we most deeply want and need. Millenia ago, people from all walks of life were anticipating something life changing. And their desires were met in a profound way.
Join us to learn more as we have our first Advent service of worship on Saturday, November 28, 2015 from 4 – 5:30 p.m. at the Fusion Center located at 30 Tyler Prentice Road, Worcester. Childcare will be provided for children ages 0 – 5.
Come as you are. You are most welcome.
Why consider Advent?
"Advent" is from the Latin word for "coming." For the past five years, God has pried open my heart and mind more to wonder with Him during the season of Advent leading up to Christmas morning.
During the period of nearly four weeks from Sunday, November 29 (well, Saturday, November 28 for Emmaus City because that's when we can rent a space) to Friday, December 25 in 2015, we will remember how the people of God longed for Immanuel – God with us in the form of the Messiah – to come.
On our side of the nativity and the cross, now knowing more fully about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus – as promised, God with us in the form of the Messiah – we long like those who came before us did. But this time, we're longing for Him to bring the consummation of the kingdom Jesus began to reveal during His time on earth.
So Advent is the season of looking back and resting in what God has done, and at the same time, Advent is a season of looking ahead with Immanuel in preparation for the coming of Jesus.
For more information on Advent, Episcopal Priest Justin Holcomb has written these informative posts:
- What is Advent?: The History of Advent and Advent Liturgy and Practice
- Advent Week I: Waiting for Christ's Return
- Advent Week II: The Messiah is Coming
- Advent Week III: Rejoice! God Is With Us
- Advent Week IV: God Keeps His Promises
For a briefer synopsis, a song that captures both perspectives of looking back and looking forward is "O Come, O Come Immanuel." It's also one of my all-time favorite Christmas hymns – my favorite version the one performed by Future of Forestry. The original words of "O Come, O Come Immanuel" were penned in Ecclesiastical Latin ("Veni, veni, Emmanuel,") by unnamed monks in the 800s. They were later rediscovered and translated by Anglican evangelist John Mason Neale in the 1800s.
Such beautiful language was hidden for nearly a millennium, but is now enjoyed by millions across the world. Even the story of "O Come, O Come Immanuel" reflects how God is the One who orchestrates history and that His Word continues on throughout the generations. And His song is "Immanuel," God with us, as He comes to meet us in our need time and time again.
O Come, O Come Immanuel
By anonymous monks, 800s
Translated by John Mason Neale, 1800s
Performed by Future of Forestry
Performed by Future of Forestry
O come, O come, Immanuel
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here.
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
(Chorus Repeat)
O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
(Chorus Repeat)
O come, Desire of nations, bind
In One the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace
(Chorus Repeat)
" ... 'you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.' All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 'Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel' (which means, God with us)." – Matthew 1:21-23 (Isaiah 7:14)
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