From RevGalBlogPals: Although it comes as late as it can this year, Advent is upon us. Some of us grew up observing it, while to others (including this childhood Baptist) it was even more foreign than Lent! Over the past twenty years, I have grown to love Advent as a season of preparation, although as a pastor I find it harder to practice it at home than at church, even when the church might prefer I make it the other way 'round.
Here are five questions about Advent for this first of December:
1) Do you observe Advent in your church?
NOoooooooooooo... but we are located near an Adventist Hospital... does that count? ;)
2) How about at home?
Not really. I do have an Advent wreath and we light an increasing number of candles each week... And we talk about it. And we read Scripture. But if you mean, do we sit around and hold hands and sing plainsong in Latin, and read the BCP, that would be NO.
3) Do you have a favorite Advent text or hymn?
Actually, I have several. But because you want STRICTLY Advent, not Christmas, I have to say that I like one that's in German: Macht Hoch die Tür. (Open the Gates). If you mean favorite but un-singable my Joe and Josie Congregant, than hands down it's "Ev'ry Valley Shall Be Exalted" from Handel's Messiah!
4) Why is one of the candles in the Advent wreath pink? (You may tell the truth, but I'll like your answer better if it's funny.)
Well, it was purple last year but I left it on the dashboard of my car in the hot summer sun (don't ask and please don't tell FlyLady!) and all of its color faded. Good thing I left it in the wrapper because it would have stuck the dash and been an even stranger shape (the cellophane kinda kept it looking cylindrical with only one flat side...)
5) What's the funniest/kitschiest Advent calendar you've ever seen?
Hard one... probably a paper pop-up one that looked like the animal kingdom in bathrobes with towels tied on their heads... I know it was supposed to be a nativity scene, but...
I actually have some stuff to put up for Advent on my blog. Just have to get it done... papers and quizzes first...
From our home to yours...
Deb
Friday, December 01, 2006
Friday Five: Adventually
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4 comments:
Handels Messiah a must in advent!
btw if you catch the cat I hoe you don't have an Santa suit handy!!!!
Hey, your answer is good, too!
I am so glad I am not the only one that has trouble with the animals in nativty scenes in "people" roles. It does bug me.
And Handel is great, unsingalbe for most of us, but great.
I was Baptist also and had no idea what Advent was.
Hi Deb. Thanks for stopping by and for the comment. I've even posted a couple more entries since you were by earlier - really a catch-up (as well as relax) day.
Yeah... I've been able to get gym or personal exercise routines going now and then over the years. They'll work for a while and then something will derail me. If I figure out how to get myself to start going again this time I'll try to remember to let you know. :) (We'll just ignore the fact that instead of journaling and etc. all day I could have gone to the gym - Heh!)
Glad I'm not the only one needing some time to hang out with real live people.
Peace, bythesea
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