Lo and behold, Advent is upon us once again. Amazing how the year disappears. And so, it is one of those times in the liturgical calendar that MBCC shakes things up. So next time you come to church (should be it be before Christmas), you will find some different and perhaps perplexing things. So here is a breakdown.
Advent Theme: The Word Made Flesh (see the first chapter of the Gospel of John)
Advent "Wreath:" Each week we light a candle as we get closer and closer to the coming of the Christ child. Traditionally, the first three weeks, (symbolizing hope, peace and joy) the candles are purple and the last week's candle (love) is pink. The Christ candle, lit on Christmas Eve, is white. True to MBCC form, our manifestation of his tradition isn't quite like that. The love candle is blue (couldn't find a pink one). And though many (most?) churches use a wreath, we are using a kinda basic candle holder. Each week, an elder (or elder to be) will light the candle and tell a story of their experience of the Word made flesh. These stories, and our sermons for the season, will be made flesh through symbols added to the table around the "wreath". If you were not in church last week, ask Eliz to here her story and find out why she put a light bulb on the table.
Liturgical Colors: As Bruce reminded/taught people in his sermon, the "Church" (who exactly chose the colors I do not know) has particular colors for particular seasons. Advent is traditionally purple. So when you see lots of purple in church this December and it seems odd, that is why :)
Decor: There is a lot of fabric hanging and there is a reason. The long version of that reason is here but the short breakdown... Jesus, the Word made flesh, is often discussed as the light of the world. And so as we wait in the dark night for his coming, we find bits of light that bring us hope that God will fulfill his promise and dwell among us. The representation of "night" in the sanctuary will change as we get closer and closer to the coming of Emmanuel. Look out.
One more thing... You will notice that mirrors of varying sizes are throughout the decor and surrounding the Advent "wreath". Look into one and what do you see? Your reflection. As we are reflected in the mirrors, as the mirrors reflect the light, we reflect Jesus. And so, after Christmas, when the Word is made flesh, we will ask the MBCC peeps in the pews to make covenant with their community, (and if is not too much to presume... God) about how y'all will reflect the light of Jesus to world, be the Word made flesh in the community in the coming year. During that service, you will exchange the covenant for a mirror. The mirror will remind your of your commitment and the covenants will be placed in the living room as a part of our communal history.
I hope that I have not confused you (let me know if I have) but rather have given you somethings to ponder throughout this season and next time you come to MBCC to worship.
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