Advent

I love this season, and every year insist on holding fast to it while the world around me is rushing into an artificial version of Christmas. Even the Christian radio stations, which at least are focusing on the right aspects of the season, will stop playing Christmas music on December 26th, just a day into a weeks-long celebration that allows us to reflect on so many different aspects of the Word becoming flesh: the Incarnation (Christmas day) of God the co-eternal Son, born into a holy family (Sunday within the Octave) on earth, revealed to the whole world (Epiphany) to bring us back into relationship with God (Baptism of the Lord). I'm just not ready for the season to be over as soon as the grandkids have all unwrapped their gifts!

Well, part of the key to that is to celebrate Advent well. Our parish does this, adding Advent Evensong celebrated each Sunday to the rich liturgies for each week of the season. Now Jubilee is getting a chance to do so, too, offering an expanded version of this ancient, rich prayer service with wonderful Advent music. And both of these music ministries are also reaching out to those often forgotten by our society, with visits to several area assisted living centers, celebrating Christ's Advent with those who are too often cast aside by our society. I count myself blessed to be a part of these two great groups of music ministers.