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How should we be observing Advent?
Topic Started: Wednesday, 7. November 2012, 21:13 (1,070 Views)
Derekap
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How should we be observing Advent?
Derekap
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Penfold
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One way would be to reflect upon the psalms and readings foretelling the coming of the Messiah. I shall dig out a list and post it in the prayer folder. I do think however that it is important that we reflect on what the coming of the Messiah means for us, for each of us to consider are we ready to meet him and the joy of anticipation. We are asked to reflect on our lack of preparedness and it would be good to go to confession.
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PJD

I agree - reflect on the Second Coming.

PJD
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Gerard

Sing advent hymns. ;)
Dont sing christmas carols. ;)

Sadly, at least for me, there is a dearth of modern advent hymns/songs.

But, seriously, following the church's liturgy (hours) is great at this time (also in Lent/Easter).

Gerry
"The institutional and charismatic aspects are quasi coessential to the Church's constitution" (Pope John Paul II, 1998).
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garfield

I'm afraid I mainly observe Advent by shopping for presents and cards and making cakes, puddings and plans to get the family together. Though I suppose this can be an opportunity to choose to help charities who make and sell these things, and encourage those who help others like collecting gifts for the poor or contributions for homeless shelters.
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Gerard

Anyone with children will have an advent calendar. But how many have advent candles on the dinner table?

Gerry
"The institutional and charismatic aspects are quasi coessential to the Church's constitution" (Pope John Paul II, 1998).
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Derekap
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I don't like lit candles on dining tables, apart from the safety angle the smell to me is not pleasant.
Derekap
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OsullivanB

I haven't heard of Advent candles before.
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer
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Gerard


Advent Candles
"The institutional and charismatic aspects are quasi coessential to the Church's constitution" (Pope John Paul II, 1998).
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OsullivanB

A commercial innovation?
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer
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Gerard

This article (not authoritative) suggests variously, prechristian, middle ages, 16th century or 1800s:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advent_wreath

Gerry
"The institutional and charismatic aspects are quasi coessential to the Church's constitution" (Pope John Paul II, 1998).
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OsullivanB

Yes. I read that, including
Quote:
 
Other evidence suggests that the Advent wreath was not invented until the 19th century.[5] Research by Prof. Haemig of Luther Seminary, St. Paul, points to Johann Hinrich Wichern (1808–1881), a Protestant pastor in Germany and a pioneer in urban mission work among the poor as the inventor of the modern Advent wreath. During Advent, children at the mission school Rauhes Haus, founded by Wichern in Hamburg, would ask daily if Christmas had arrived. In 1839, he built a large wooden ring (made out of an old cartwheel) with 19 small red and 4 large white candles. A small candle was lit successively every weekday during Advent. On Sundays, a large white candle was lit. The custom gained ground among Protestant churches in Germany and evolved into the smaller wreath with four or five candles known today. Roman Catholics in Germany began to adopt the custom in the 1920s, and in the 1930s it spread to North America.[6] Professor Haemig's research also indicates that the custom did not reach the United States until the 1930s, even among German Lutheran immigrants.
I'll go with modern commercialism and pass on the candles (and the wreath).
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer
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Gerard

Fair enough.
Its all optional.
Though we actually have a cartwheel sized wreath with candles in our church.

Gerry
"The institutional and charismatic aspects are quasi coessential to the Church's constitution" (Pope John Paul II, 1998).
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OsullivanB

Are you sure it's not anathematised somewhere in the Syllabus of Errors? :bl:
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer
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Derekap
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When I was working in West Germany leading up to Christmas 1956 I saw my first Advent wreaths in churches. Since then slowly but surely they have become more popular in these islands, even in Catholic churches.
Derekap
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