This is a common question in churches across the country.  In many Protestant churches for much of the 20th century, especially Reformed Protestant churches, the assembly commonly sang Christmas carols for weeks before Dec. 25th, making the weeks before Christmas Day (Advent) indistinct from the Christmas Season (The Birth of Christ through Epiphany). 

The church seasons of Advent and Christmas are actually meant to be very distinct, and over the past generation, many churches have tried to reclaim the unique and important role of Advent in the liturgical year.  While our secular culture starts pressuring us to spend money on Christmas decorations and presents before Halloween (AGH!!), the Christmas Season does not actually begin, according to the church calendar, until December 25th.  There are four Sundays in Advent that precede Christmas Day (Advent literally means “coming”), followed by the Season of Christmas from Dec. 25th-January 6th, which is when Epiphany is then celebrated.   Typical Advent colors are purple (like Lent) and blue–a dark, deep blue like that winter sky just before sunset or sunrise.

At First Pres, we have typically sung a few carols by the third or fourth Sundays of Advent.   (The Children’s Christmas Program has been presented on Advent 4, and we sing familiar carols during that service.)  By that time, we usually hear of God’s promise of salvation in scripture already, as well as Mary’s song from the Gospel of Luke.  So, you may be relieved to know that we’re not exactly observing Advent in the strictest sense anyway!

But why observe Advent at all?  Well, like Lent, Advent has been a time of preparation, introspection, and an opportunity to observe our own faith journey which often involves change, upheavel, and anticipation.  The gift of Christmas is much more meaningful when we are first forced to deal with the “what” and “whom” that is coming.  If God comes to dwell among us at Christmas, what does that mean exactly?  Take away the cute manger scene and angels with halos and ask yourself, “What does it really, really mean for me, my community, and the world that Christ dwells among us, in the here and now?  What should it mean?”   Christ’s advent (“coming”) shows us that God’s Kingdom is among us–”with us”–and that we are called to work now to make it real. If God’s Kingdom is one of justice and peace,  then how can we make that happen in the here and now?  

Advent gives people a structure in which to experience our own longings, just like Israel’s longings.  It bring us to an expression of hope and faith that God is “with us.”  “Emannuel” means “God with us.” 

When Christmas does come, and we finally sing “Joy to the World” or “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” or “O Come All Ye Faithful” in worship, what a truly wondrous event that is!  Rather than superficial in its immediacy, we have a deeper realization that there is reason to have faith and hope in God, that God comes to us through Christ, and that God will ”ransom captive Israel” once again! 

In this way, the church can be countercultural by avoiding the commercialism of Christmas–and that’s a good thing.  Listening to Christmas Carols all month long can be fun and very enjoyable–I have my favorite holiday CDs just like everyone else!  But I can listen to them and sing along in my car or at home–or while shopping.  Worship should be different–it should expect more of us, rather than be easy and light.   Let Macy’s have their endless loops of recorded Christmas songs playing day-in and day-out for over a month at a time.   I won’t sing “Happy Birthday” until the party comes.   In this sense, the “party” doesn’t come until Christmas Day (well, OK, Christmas Eve!). 

Explore the longings of Advent, the hope that Christ comes to dwell among us and with us.  Embrace the music of Advent–and not just Christmas.  Advent music reminds us to “prepare the way” for God’s kingdom of justice and peace to reign here–right here–within us! 

Let me know what you think.

Blessings, Michael

Since February of this year at First Pres, we’ve occasionally (about once every 4-6 weeks) sung a hymn using the hymnal instead of the screen in worship.  This may feel very new and different to you!   For some, it may remind you of when you were younger and always used a hymnal in church.  Don’t worry:  the screen will continue to be an important part of our worship here, as it should be, not only for the use of artistic images that supplement scripture and sermon themes, but also for singing, learning new songs, and in many other ways as well.  Using the hymnal occasionally in worship, however, can allow us to expand our worship experience in the following ways as well:

♫ Music Education.  Looking at music week after week in worship supports familiarity with notation and music symbols.  Learning to read music is a great skill, and has been proven to increase young people’s success in reading and math skills as well.  (See me for details.) Did you know that most of the kids in Kid’s Jam are taking private music lessons and actually enjoy learning how to recognize and read music notation?!  It doesn’t feel “old” to them. One Mom remarked to me, “Using a hymnal when I was young allowed me to learn how to read music.  I’d like that for my child as well!” Some people like to sing parts in worship as well—rather than just the melody.  These vocal parts (alto, tenor, bass) are printed in hymnals. 

♫ Expanding how we minister and reach out. The Music Ministry’s goals are to serve, minister, and reach out.  Some visitors, as well as new and longtime members at First Pres, find that using a hymnal is meaningful to them.   Learning a new song is often easier when you can see the overall shape of the melody, rather than just the lyrics.  Also, others see better “close-up” than “far away.”  Finally, others just like “holding” a hymnal and looking at the song in its entirety, which is OK, too.  (Some dislike this, I realize, as well.)

♫ Sometimes what is “old” is “new” again.  The Word of God remains constant, but how we worship and receive the Word continues to evolve (though still according to the Scriptures). Semper Reformanda! (“Always reforming!”) Many people 40 and younger are turning to the Church and finding renewed meaning in revisiting worship practices and traditions that were often disregarded in the 80s and 90s.  These might include candlelight vespers, a renewed focus on the sacraments, and “older” music traditions, such as hymns, the use of quiet, simple songs instead of rock or pop music, or even chant.    (Read about the “ancient futures” movement as one example, or read about denominational movements within the ELCA Lutheran and PCUSA churches.)

♫ We have ‘em.  Shall we use ‘em?  We have hymnals in our pews already, and their content represents a rich cultural and Christian history to which we belong:  using them occasionally can prove to be a theological and historical experience as well as musical!  

Again, the “old” mixes with the “new.” The screen is here to stay in worship–there is no question about that.  The ways in which a screen is used, however, continues to evolve as well.  Check this link for an interesting book review.

http://www.jbc.edu/college/images/churchrelations/churchlink/PDFs/1-2/Chambers-Using_a_Screen.pdf

Let me know what you think.

Blessings, Michael