Advent

Prepare for the Baby Jesus   
(To learn about Chrismons -- the decorations on our Christmas Trees -- click here.)   

	What is Advent? Advent is from the Latin word for "coming." Advent is honored for 4 weeks before Christmas. Advent is a time of preparation, of waiting, of watching, of expectation. The Liturgical color is blue -- a sign of hope. Advent is a time for reflection marked by simplicity in worship and ritual.   What about the Advent Wreath? Advent Wreath has its roots in the Middle Ages -- fire and candles were used to light the way of the Christ child. The modern tradition of Advent Wreaths began in Germany as a way to answer eager children's question: "Is it Christmas yet?" The wreath was a sign of the hopeful waiting and expectation for the coming of The Lord. The round shape of the wreath represents eternity -- no beginning and no end. Often an Advent Wreath is decorated with evergreens -- another symbol of eternity. There are 4 candles, one for each Sunday in Advent. Some churches use purple candles as a sign of penitence. Churches using the liturgical color of blue often use blue candles in the Advent wreath. As each candle is lit, the way to Christmas is brighter and brighter. The Advent Candle can be lit after the first lesson or before the service begins. Blue candles suggest hope; an older tradition used purple candles...the royal color of the coming king. Advent wreaths can be used at home for family devotions.
Sunday, November 27	First Sunday in Advent -- the candle of HOPE (sometimes called the prophet candle). This candle represents the HOPE and anticipation of Christ's coming as foretold in the Old Testament. Read--- First Lesson: Isaiah 2:1-5 Second Lesson: Romans 13:11-14 Gospel Lesson: Matthew 24:36-44
Sunday, December 4	Second Sunday in Advent -- the candle of LOVE. Read--- First Lesson: Isaiah 11:1-10 Second Lesson: Romans 15:4-13 Gospel Lesson: Matthew 3:1-12
Sunday, December 11	Third Sunday in Advent -- the candle of JOY. Fill the earth with JOY. Read --- First Lesson: Isaiah 35:1-10 Second Lesson: James 5:7-10 Gospel Lesson: Matthew 11:2-11
Sunday, December 18	Fourth Sunday in Advent -- the candle of PEACE. Read--- First Lesson: Isaiah 7:10-16 Second Lesson: Romans 1:1-7 Gospel Lesson: Matthew 1:18-25 Come, Lord Jesus!!
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Advent Resources: http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/christmas_advent.htm http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Worship/Learning-Center/FAQs/Advent-Wreath.aspx http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Ministry/Women-of-the-ELCA/Lutheran-Woman-Today/Articles/2008/December/Journey.aspx

                                                                                              

Advent Trees -- Chrismons
		Have you noticed the decorated trees in the Worship Space? The decorations are called Chrismons. These decorations were created by the members of Sarah Circle many years ago. Each year, the Sarah Circle lovingly and reverently decorate those trees with the Chrismons. Chrismons are hand made tree ornaments. The ornaments represent Christianity. The name comes from combining the word CHRISt with the word MONogram. These traditional ornaments represent the symbols use to represent the name of Christ. Most Chrismons are white with gold decorations of beads, glitter, or ribbons. The Chrismon ornaments were created by Frances Kipps Spencer at Ascension Lutheran Church in Danville, Virginia. She set out to create ornaments that were appropriate for a church Christmas tree. The first Chrismons were displayed in 1957. An evergreen tree symbolizes eternal life, the eternal life which we get from Jesus Christ, our savior.
	Chi-Ro - this symbol looks like an X with a P on top. These are the first two letters of the Greek word "Christos" which means Christ.		Triquerta with a circle -- three loops make a triangle representing the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). It is surrounded by a circle which represents eternity.
IHS - -These are the first three letters in the Greek word for Jesus.		Cross -- the cross reminds us that Jesus Christ died for us on the cross.
	Fish - this symbol was used to identify early Christians.		Latin Cross--We are reminded that Christ died on the cross for us. The top of the cross is a shepherd's crook. The triangle is a symbol of the trinity. The triangle is also an Alpha. What looks like a "M" at the bottom of the cross is an Omega. Alpha & Omega -- beginning and the end!

Lutheran Church

 of the

Resurrection

15050 S. Central Avenue
    Oak Forest, IL 60452
    708-687-2170
    info@resurrection-oakforest.org

A member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

2011

http://www.elca.org