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2015 Worship Guide
A LINCOLN DAILY NEWS.COM PUBLICATION
First Presbyterian Church in Lincoln
Advent is upon us.
The paraments (or the cloths that hang on
the pulpit and drape the communion table)
have been changed from green to purple.
Purple—the color of advent is used because
purple means royalty.
We drape ourselves with purple stoles as
a sign that says “we are preparing for the
Royal One to return.” Of course this is the
Christ child.
Advent is four weeks long. A week or so
shorter than Lent.
Lent is most often known for the season
where we give up that which may be a vice
to us. During Lent, many commit to fasting
or giving up certain types of luxuries as a
form of penitence. Many Christians also
add a Lenten spiritual discipline, such
as reading a daily devotional, to draw
themselves near to God.
What about Advent?
The word “Advent” comes from the Latin
word adventus, which means “coming” or
“visit.” In the season with this name, we
keep in mind both “advents” of Christ, the
first in Bethlehem and the second yet to
come.
But what if Advent was a bit more…
accessible than that? What if the second
coming is something we are waiting for and
participating in at the same time?
What if Christ’s coming again happens
every time an act of justice occurs or loved
is expressed between people or people and
the earth?
What if Advent is in itself a reminder that
God is still with us and that we need not
look any further than within ourselves?
CONTINUED
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--promise
