Advent Reflections

The Spirit dwells in the community of the Church and works continuously to form us in our thoughts, our actions, and reflections.

The community of St. Mark’s is reflecting on Advent 2020 with poetry and prose, pictures, and music. Come join us in our reflection.

If you have an Advent reflection of your own that you’d like to share,

please contact Jo Ann Lagman.

Advent Day 1

“A Season of Preparation and Expectation” by Gretchen Kenower

The word Advent comes from the Latin Adventus, meaning coming. So what’s coming.

Well Advent I is the beginning of the new church year. It ends on Christmas, with the Christmas season then ending on Epiphany when the three Magi appear.

It is a season of preparation and expectation, preparing our hearts to welcome the new Babe. In past days, the liturgical color was purple, which generally is used in Lent for penitence. In more recent years, many churches – as we do at St. Mark’s– have adopted from the English Church the color blue, which is the color of expectation. It is also the color of Mary and of prayer.

Many people use Advent wreathes to celebrate each Sunday. The candles have their own meaning: The first Sunday is God’s people, the candle of hope. The second candle is for the Old Testament prophets, the candle of peace. The third Sunday is for John the Baptist, the candle of love. And the final Sunday in Advent is the rose candle for Mary, the candle of joy.

When we gather on Christmas Eve, we welcome and celebrate the incredible gift God has given us, His Son Jesus. “O Holy Night, O night Divine. Fall on your knees – and hear the angel voices.”

Advent Day 2

A Poem by Liam Dunch

ADVENT

We pause in stillness, quiet darkness surrounds us

Winter closes in, the hush descends

Yet still, there is something more, a thought, a promise

Hear the whisper of a distant voice

We await the coming of the light!

– Liam Dunch