First Off, I would like to ask for your prayers. I have been asked to speak/ witness God in this moment of my life to a group at a church Sunday evening at 7:00 pm. I know God’s got it and he knows who will be there. But, I still get a little nervous. It is a talk about Miracles, love ,trust and God’s love for us all. Its part of a 4th day talk for the Cursillo community. Thankyou! 🙂
We are moving through Seasons again. Summer gave way to Fall and we are experiencing the changes of our surroundings, smells and exterior temperature.
Another way that I choose to look at this Seasons change is to make a conscious effort to allow myself to set a plan on where I want myself to be when this Season ends. So, today being OCT 31 st , I look to Nov 1 st as my SEASON CHANGE. THIS season will run until after Christmas and the Advent Season. At that point I can come up with an evaluation as to where I find myself and access whether or not I have gotten any closer to where I want to be. More stedfast in who I am, where I am going and if I am even a hair closer to my God.
Advent: Dates, Traditions, and History
The start of the Christmas season
by Holly Hartman
Advent is the period preceding the Christmas season. It begins on the Sunday nearest November 30, the feast day of St. Andrew the Apostle, and covers four Sundays. Because the day it begins changes from year to year, so does the length of each Advent season. In 2014, Advent begins on November 30.
The word advent, from Latin, means “the coming.” For centuries, Advent has been a time of spiritual reflection as well as cheer and anticipation. Even as the Christmas season has become more secular-with advertisers urging holiday gift-givers to buy and buy some more-Advent still brings joy and the observance of ancient customs. Christian families find quiet moments lighting candles in the Advent wreath, and children use Advent calendars to count the days until Christmas.
The History of Advent
Advent has probably been observed since the fourth century. Originally, it was a time when converts to Christianity readied themselves for baptism.
During the Middle Ages, Advent became associated with preparation for the Second Coming. In early days Advent lasted from November 11, the feast of St. Martin, until Christmas Day. Advent was considered a pre-Christmas season of Lent when Christians devoted themselves to prayer and fasting. The Orthodox Eastern Church observes a similar Lenten season, from November 15 until Christmas, rather than Advent.
Many Christians still view Advent as a season to prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus. In the last fifty years, however, it has also come to be thought of as a time of anticipating the Nativity, on Christmas Day.
Advent Wreaths
Advent wreaths have their origins in the folk traditions of northern Europe, where in the deep of winter people lit candles on wheel-shaped bundles of evergreen. Both the evergreen and the circular shape symbolized ongoing life. The candlelight gave comfort at this darkest time of the year, as people looked forward to the longer days of spring.
Later, Eastern European Christians adopted this practice. By the sixteenth century, they were making Advent wreaths much as we know them today. An advent wreath traditionally contains four candles-three purple and one rose. Purple dyes were one so rare and costly that they were associated with royalty; the Roman Catholic Churchhas long used this color around Christmas and Easter to honor Jesus. The three purple candles in the Advent wreath symbolize hope, peace, and love. These candles are lit on the first, second, and fourth Sundays of Advent. The rose candle, which symbolizes joy, is usually lit on the third Sunday.
Sometimes a fifth candle is placed inside the Advent wreath. This candle is lit on Christmas Day. It is white, the color associated with angels and the birth of Jesus.
Because Advent wreaths are an informal celebration, not all are the same. Instead of purple candles, some people use blue, which recalls the color of the night sky before daylight returns. Others use all white candles.
Advent Calendars
An advent calendar is a card or poster with twenty-four small doors, one to be opened each day from December 1 until Christmas Eve. Each door conceals a picture. This popular tradition arose in Germany in the late 1800s and soon spread throughout Europe and North America. Originally, the images in Advent calendars were derived from the Hebrew Bible.
Considered a fun way of counting down the days until Christmas, many Advent calendars today have no religious content. Now, alongside traditional Advent calendars depicting angels and biblical figures are those whose doors open to display teddy bears, pieces of chocolate, or photos of pop stars.
My Thought is this . God calls us to Seasons to help one another and for study and self improvement. He pours out the Holy Spirit upon us as needed. So, I began to think how great it will be if I dedicate myself to a different way of approaching God through my prayer life and really strip back the layers of who I am. I need to find what makes me really tick. Why I am prone to certain things that are not good, I do have on the other hand have some very good and powerful traits born out of love that have been at work all my life. I have a peace in my heart and I do not surrender that to anyone or anything. But I believe that getting to the root of it all will allow me to confront through prayer the things that can seperate me from my ideal . My closest model of me to immitate Christ Jesus. You know, If God has me in this protected place from the terminal brain cancer for this moment, wouldn’t I be a fool not to dive into the water and trust him that if I swim towards him looking for answers to help me be more in tune with myself and Heaven. I believe that like Jesus held Peter up on the water, then I believe that by my Faith that Jesus will do the same for me and you too. God loves me and you the same as St. Peter. Believe in him and he will work the Miracles in our lives. 🙂
So, look at the beautiful new month of November that we are entering as a new Season, a new opportunity to dig deeper into who we are and open yourselves up for the new day. A day where we can sit across from our loved ones and friends at our dinner tables this Thanksgiving and Christmas and be at peace with one another. God did not intend for division from him or any other person. Unless of course they are harmful or abusive.
God is counting on us, and we are counting on God. I know God will be there. The question we need to ask is this, will we be working our way towards him ?
Just forgive each other our trespasses as God calls us to. That is a great start in beginning that deeper search for God in your life during the up coming Holy Advent Season. AMEN.
God Bless You.
Just Danny Speaks 