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<p>I love the theme idea for Advent. It gives the season some
"teeth" for us to consider as we move forward into 2022. Perhaps
we could find some influence here for once a quarter focusing on
one of the themes. Annie<br>
</p>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 11/2/2021 9:01 AM, Martha McGovern
via Worship wrote:<br>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Let’s
consider this approach to Advent at our Wednesday meeting.
Steve Peck is a member of MOV Interfaith and has spoken at
FUUSM several times.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Martha<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sent from <a
href="https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986"
moz-do-not-send="true">Mail</a> for Windows</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;padding:0in"><b>From:
</b><a href="mailto:stephenpeck@yahoo.com"
moz-do-not-send="true">Peck Stephen</a><br>
<b>Sent: </b>Monday, November 1, 2021 8:11 PM<br>
<b>To: </b><a href="mailto:marthamcg@suddenlink.net"
moz-do-not-send="true">Martha McGovern</a><br>
<b>Cc: </b><a href="mailto:peck.mrs@gmail.com"
moz-do-not-send="true">Carol Peck</a><br>
<b>Subject: </b>Advent article</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">Advent
2021 (Fr. Steve Peck)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">Are
you ready for Christmas? Thankfully, the Christian
church calendar contains an entire season to assist
with this recurring dilemma, thus providing a way to
answer the question affirmatively.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">Starting
on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, Advent
represents the beginning of the year for the church
(liturgical) calendar. The name for Advent comes
from the Latin word "adventus" meaning "coming" or
"arrival." Traditionally, the color for Advent is
purple (as is the color for Lent) and it represents
a time to reflect introspectively and prepare for
the coming of Messiah. In a broad sense, the coming
of the Christ has a threefold meaning: the past
birth of Jesus celebrated in the Nativity, the
presence of Jesus in the heart of the believer, and
Christ's promised future return.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">Over
many centuries, different customs have originated to
recognize the Season of Advent with celebration. An
Advent Wreath is a good way to get started, and is
especially appropriate for home use. An evergreen
wreath signifies eternal life. The wreath contains
four candles: ideally three purple and one
rose-pink, with a larger "Christ Candle" in the
center. Materials for construction are available in
craft shops, and fire safety is obviously important.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">One
purple candle, The Candle of Hope, is lit on the
first Sunday of Advent (8 November 2021). The candle
lighting is followed at each celebration by
Scripture, devotion, and prayer. A second purple
candle, signifying Peace, is lit with the Hope
candle on the second Sunday of Advent (5 December
2021). The rose-pink "Candle of Joy" is lit on the
third Sunday of Advent (12 December 2021) along with
the candles of Hope and Peace. On the fourth Sunday
of Advent (19 December 2021), the final purple
"Candle of Love" is lit with the three previous
candles. Finally, all candles are lit on Christmas
Eve night or Christmas Day culminating with the
central "Christ Candle."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">The
prayers and devotions can vary by community. One of
my faith communities has decided this year to take
an experimental path to a more radical observance of
Advent -- a time of "RADVENT." The four weekly
themes will be amplified by social and justice
concerns of the World Community with a special
emphasis on marginalized persons and groups. For
example, "Hope" can look at our roles in making a
better future, being aware how the effects of
climate change particularly affect persons with
limited resources. "Peace" can seek empathy with
persons affected by armed conflict. Acknowledging
our blessings with "Joy" can reflect the flipside of
learning to help individuals and families who lack
access to healthcare. In the fourth week, each of
us can contemplate the virtue of "Love" by better
learning to love one another -- paying special
attention to persons who love differently. On
Christmas and beyond, how can I see the face of
Jesus in those who are marginalized?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">In
the United States, the secular season of Christmas
is in full swing by November 1st with the packing
away of spooky inflatables. Christmas decorations
appear on city streets and suburban lawns.
Christmas music is heard in stores and on airwaves
before Thanksgiving. And suddenly, beginning on
December 26th, it rapidly disappears. Ironically,
the Christian Season of Christmas has barely begun;
in traditional Christianity, the Season of Christmas
begins on the night of Christmas Eve and continues
until the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">Wall
Street, Madison Avenue, and other metaphorical
influencers of the American Economy want our
"preparation for Christmas" to involve massive
spending: the hottest toys, the latest electronics,
expensive parties and clothing, and exotic
vacations. This year, consider preparing for
Christmas in a different way. Learn the traditions
of Advent: Scriptures, symbols, and music
(Traditionally, Christmas carols in the church begin
on Christmas Eve). I invite you to prepare
spiritually during the Christian Season of Advent,
and for the spiritually adventurous, to celebrate
"RADVENT."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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