Advent

Advent dawned early this morning.
I was ready for it, welcomed it into my life
this birth of hope
that comes every year right after Thanksgiving.
There wasn't much fanfare in the pre-dawn hours -
just a re-checking of my meditation
where spell check found some glaring errors.

There was a sense of genuine anticipation in church.
People came with their poinsettas
and ornaments for the tree.
All the decorative elements were carefully laid out on the front pews
where no one ever sits.
Presbyterians tend to prefer the back seats.
It's easier to keep God at a distance there.

The pulpit hangings and the communion cloth were green.
There were flowers in fall colors on the plant stand.
From a distance we heard the gentle sounds of
O Come, O Come Emanuel
and so it began.

During the first hymn all the paraments changed from green to purple.
I went down the aisle and Carol Yeary helped me
change my green robe to a purple one.
(She had bought it for me as a gift
with some of her tax refund.)
We lit the Advent candle and prayed.
The poinsettas showed up during the children's sermon
when the children collected them and brought them forward
to decorate the chancel.

When it was time for the prayers of the people,
the ushers guided people by rows to the back of the church
where they hung their ornament on the tree
and prayed for whatever God prompted.

When the service was over the sanctuary was all decorated
dripping with the ancient symbolism
that reminds us of the light of Christ coming into our world.
I felt hope today, genuine hope,
that Christ dwells among us
and really will see us through.