Comments on: Happy New Year!!

By: Anthony Velez

Anthony Velez — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 21:41:35 +0000

LOL! You’re clever Simon.

By: Simon Jones

Simon Jones — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:27:56 +0000

Wait a second, you mean Christmas is a religious festival?

By: Roger Green

Roger Green — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 03:07:29 +0000

For some reason, I think the understanding that it’s not even Christmastime won’t assuage those who believe that the war against Christmas is being waged.

In any case, one of our church choir’s most important musical tradition is always in Advent (the other is Good Friday). We’ve been reading something called ADVENT-ure at home.

This will be our first Christmas at home in years. Usually we go to my in-laws, or last year, to my mother’s. So we’re still figuring out our tradition.

By: Anthony Velez

Anthony Velez — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:34:02 +0000

Arthur - Yes we do celebrate Advent, both in Church through a liturgy that is appropriate to this season, and at home through an evening celebration that includes lighting candles on our own Advent wreath, recitation of written prayers, a reading from the Scriptures, singing a song, and a closing prayer. In previous years we have read Advent stories, and used other kinds of liturgies adapted for home. Overall, it is has been helpful in keeping our hearts and minds in the right place, but I think what I strive for is a full on embrace of the scandal and mystery of Christmas. I mean, the fact that God became human should throttle us to our bones, but I often feel I am just scratching this surface of this mystery.

By: arthur

arthur — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 06:59:27 +0000

antonio-

is your family celebrating advent at all? we have found it deeply meaningful for us here. very good way to keep proper perspective and generally family/children friendly! we have really come to appreciate the church calendar and follow advent and lent pretty regularly.