393 N. Main Street, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
phone: (630) 858-1020 email: frontdesk@stmarksglenellyn.org
Home » Advent Reflections
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
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
Phone: 630-858-1020
Toll-free: 866-941-1020
Fax: 630-858-1035
393 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
We are part of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, The Episcopal Church in the United States, and the worldwide Anglican Communion.