SEASONS OF THE CHURCH YEAR

 

THE FIRST SUNDAY of ADVENT   2025 Nov 30

 

Advent marks the beginning of the church calendar. It traditionally starts on the Sunday closest to St. Andrew’s Day (November 30th) and continues for four Sundays until Christmas. During this time the liturgical paraments and vestments in many churches will change to violet to recognize Advent as a time of preparation and repentance as well as a symbol of the royalty of the coming King. The color blue can also be used as a symbol of anticipation and hope.

There is so much beauty and rich tradition during the season of Advent to prepare Christians for the coming of Jesus, the babe of Bethlehem. When you see the altar draped in purple, remember your King who came to bring you life and salvation. If you don’t have one already, consider getting an Advent wreath for your home as you prepare for the coming of Christ, the light of the world. Give thanks to God for the confession of faith He gave to His people to shine His light in dark places. Learn about the tradition of reciting the O Antiphons (found in Lutheran Service Book along with hymn # 357 “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel) and incorporate it into your Advent devotions. Finally, anticipate with joy the coming of our Lord!

Deaconness Betsy Karkan serves at Concordia University-Chicago.

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This Sunday we mark the FIRST SUNDAY of ADVENT​

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SERMON TEXT:  Matthew 21:1-9 NKJV

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THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY

21 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,

2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me.

3 And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.”

4 All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:

5 “Tell the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your King is coming to you,
Lowly, and sitting on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ”

6 So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. 

7 They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. 

8 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 

9 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:

“Hosanna to the Son of David!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
Hosanna in the highest!”

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REFLECTION:​

THE ADVENT WREATH

Deaconness Betsy Karkan serves at Concordia University-Chicago.

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Christians in many countries have adopted various traditions of lighting candles during Advent to observe this as the time of the coming of Christ who is the light of the world. One widespread tradition is the use of an Advent wreath both in the church and the home to mark each Sunday in the Advent season. While the origin of this as an Advent tradition dates back to the Lutheran church following the Reformation, the current form commonly used today was developed more recently and is used in many other Christian churches throughout the world. The wreath is made out of evergreens in the shape of a circle to represent eternal life. It consisted of four candles originally; three purple or blue candles to match the liturgical colors and one pink candle lit on the 3rd Sunday in Advent. This 3rd Sunday is known as Gaudete Sunday, meaning “rejoice” in Latin and comes from Philippians 4:4. Lighting this 3rd candle, Christians relax the fast to rejoice for the promised Messiah is coming soon. Many Advent wreaths also have a 5th candle, the Christ candle, which is lit during the time of Christmas, symbolizing that Christ, the light of the world, has entered the darkness.

 

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HYMN:​

THE ADVENT OF OUR KING

Translator: Robert Campbell; Author: Charles Coffin

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1 The advent of our King
Our thoughts must now employ;
Then let us meet him on the road
With songs of holy joy.

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2 The co-eternal Son
A maiden's offspring see;
A servant's form Christ putteth on,
To set his people free.

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3 In glory from his throne
Again will Christ descend,
And summon all who are his own
To joys that never end.

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4 Our joyful praises sing
To Christ, who set us free;
Like tribute to the Father bring,
And Holy Ghost, to thee.

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Hear the Sermon on YouTube

(posted shortly after the Service but not live streamed)

youtube.com/@oslcchatham6321

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