The Meaning of Advent

[Bruderhof News]

Check out this article at Bruderhof.com:
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The Meaning of Advent -
by Bruderhof.com Editors

Though Advent has been observed for centuries as a time to contemplate Christ's
birth, most people today acknowledge it only with a blank look. For the vast
majority of us, December flies by in a flurry of activities, and what is called
"the holiday season" turns out to be the most stressful time of the year.

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http://www.bruderhof.com/articles/MeaningOfAdvent.htm
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[eileen]

A beautiful meditation of the reality of Christ's coming into our world. Thank
you!

eileen
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[Dick Rood]

A m e n !

Dick Rood

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[Robert J. Wagner]

As a person who tries to preserve the real meaning of Advent, I shy away from
any anticipation of Christmas by parties and the like during Advent. For Christians
the celebration of Christmas should be the twelve days of Christmas between
Christmas day and Epiphany, little Christmas, as it has been called by some.

This piece from Bruderhof is as good as any explanation I have heard of the
genuine spirit of Advent. I should like to run it off as a special message for
Christmas in my parishes. May I? [Yes.]

Robert J. Wagner

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[Donald Dahmann]

At the half-century mark of my mortal days, I find that I experience Advent
as well as other events throughout the year somewhat differently each year.
This year, I am struck by what the response of the 'ordinary folks engaged in
the ordinary work' of keeping sheep must have been that first Christmas, and
have attempted to blank out preconceived notions, to attempt to allow myself
to be confused and open to whatever this wonder might mean to me, to be open
to discovery of the most amazing event this side of heaven.

Donald Dahmann

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[Alice Lewandoski]

It took way too many years for me to come to the understanding voiced above. Now if I could, I would run around trying to share it -- but so few get it. So they come to Christmas night down in the dumps thinking, "Is this all there is?"
I've been there -- done that so I'm not criticizing. I'm just sad for them. May He who comes in every moment, as well as 2000 years ago and at the end of time, fill you with joy. God bless.

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[Tom Minet]

Each Advent, I find myself listening to a recording of this wonderful Chorale at least once a day as a sort of meditation/reminder. While I've included a "translation," I feel the force of it more in the original German (even though my German is minimal!) perhaps because I grew up in the Lutheran Church. To me, it captures much of the meaning of Advent!

Wachet Auf

"Wachet auf," ruft uns die Stimme
Der Wächter sehr hoch auf der Zinne,
"Wach auf du Stadt Jerusalem!
Mitternacht heißt diese Stunde!"
Sie rufen uns mit hellem Munde:
"Wo seid ihr klugen Jungfrauen?
Wacht auf, der Bräutgam kömmt,
Steht auf, die Lampen nehmt!
Halleluja!
Macht euch bereit zu der Hochzeit,
Ihr müsset ihm entgegen gehn!"

Zion hört die Wächter singen,
Das Herz tut ihr vor Freuden springen,
Sie wachet und steht eilend auf.
Ihr Freund kommt vom Himmel prächtig,
Von Gnaden stark, von Wahrheit mächtig;
Ihr Licht wird hell, ihr Stern geht auf.
Nun komm, du werte Kron,
Herr Jesu, Gottes Sohn!
Hosianna!
Wir folgen all zum Freudensaal
Und halten mit das Abendmahl.

Gloria sei dir gesungen
Mit Menschen- und engeliscen Zungen,
Mit Harfen und mit Cymbeln schön.
Von zwölf Perlen sind die Pforten
An deiner Stadt, wir sind Konsorten
Der Engel hoch um deinen Thron.
Kein Aug hat je gespürt,
Kein Ohr hat mehr gehört
Solche Freude.
Des sind wir froh, Io, Io!
Ewig in dulci jubilo

Wachet Auf (Unpoetic Englis Trans.)

"Awake!" the watchmen's voices call
high up on the battlements.
"Awake, city of Jersualem
It is the midnight hour."
With cliear voices they call to us,
"Where are you, wise virgins?
Awake, the bridegroom is coming:
arise and take your lamps
Halleluia!
Make ready for the wedding,
go ye out to meet him."

Zion hears the watchmen singing
Her heart leaps with joy
She awakes and rises quickly
Her beloved comes in glory from heaven,
Strong with grace and powerful with truth
Their light shines bright, their star goes up
O come you crown of goodness
Lord Jesus, Son of God
Hosannah!
We all follow to the hall of joys
and take part in the great feast.

Gloria is sung to you
with human and angelic voices
with beautiful harps and cymbals
With twelve pearls are the gates
of your city made. We join with
the angels high around your throne
No eye has ever seen;
No ear has every heard
Such joy
For this we are eternally glad
With sweet rejoicing forever.

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[Susan Mills]

For the last thirty years or so, I've seen Advent as a season to hope--hope that God's promises of peace and reconciliation will arrive within my lifetime. During this holy season, we wait and we pray for God's promises to be fulfilled.

Yet Advent is not just a time of passive waiting. We who live in the meantime, the time between the beginning of Creation and Creation's fulfillment, must be people of hope-full action. We are called to live out God's promises in the here and now, actively working for peace, and participating in the Christ's ministry of reconciliation.

Advent is our reminder that God does not leave us alone to be people controlled by fear and despair. God is with us now as we walk each day with the Prince of Peace.

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[John E. Matheson]

For as long as I have been really conscious of the Advent Season, for me the reference has not been the impending celebration of the Holy Nativity, but attention to and preparation for and expectation of the next coming(s) of Jesus, and the 'final' coming of Jesus, whatever that may prove to be. For me, the themes of death, judgement, heaven and hell have had a place in the mosaic. A little catechism has long been ingraved on my memory. Q. What does Advent mean? A. Advent means 'coming'. Q. Who is coming? A. Jesus is coming? Q. Why do we say 'Jesus is coming'? A. When Jesus came before, he said he would come again! Q. And what does this move us to say? A. Amen! Be it so! Come Lord Jesus. The Christmas Season is for the remembrance and contemplation of the Holy Nativity

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[Michael Karcher]

Hi Bruderhof.com,

Hey this was an interesting piece of writing. I like the idea that Advent should strike fear though it was proclaimed as glad tidings by the angelic hosts. The fear of God is the BEGINNING of wisdom, as Proverbs says. I also thought it interesting that Mother Theresa stated St John the Baptist was the first to welcome Christ. I would have thought, being of the Catholic Church and very 'Mary, Mother of God' oriented, she would have noticed that Mary was the first to welcome Christ at the Annunciation. That's how we in the Orthodox Church speak of it, anyway. Not a slam against Mother Theresa, of course, but surprising to me. At the end of the writing the imagery of Christ in the manger, 'Within the manger lies the Cross,' is cool as well. We in the Orthodox Church have religious iconography all over the place. The Nativity icon is one of the busiest. In connection to what you all wrote, the part of our icon where Christ the Child is in the manger, it depicts Him wrapped in the linen of His death-the white garments left in the tomb after the Resurrection. The Christ Child appears with eyes closed and wrapped for burial. The Mother of God appears over Him beholding the Mystery with her arms up as in a state of awe, not much outer expression on her face. This same bodily composition is in the Saint Sisoes icon with him looking upon the dead skeleton of Alexander the Great, arms again up in a certain awe, yet this time with the horror and shock at death and the vanity of the world on his face, but still the arms are in the same position as the Mother of God in the Nativity icon. The death of Christ versus the death of mankind...mystery and awe versus dread and horror...but still death. Thanks again for sending these writings out, I enjoy reading them against the backdrop of my understanding.

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[gene heath]

Friends:"Within the manger lies the cross" will not sell on the street. Too much tinsel. The article makes me ask: Is it possible that this materialistic, debt enlarging binge that mankind engages in each year is a means of disguising the terror that we feel? "God is" whether man recognizes it or not. Love, Joy, Peace.

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[Seth]

I agree fully with you. I would add two thoughts. First, our sense of expectation and anticipation begins with belief and obedience, so that we can say with Mary at the annunciation, "I am the Lord's servant, may everything happen has you have said." Secondly, it was wise of the church to establish observance of Advent and Christmas at the winter solstice. I find that the waning daylight, which seems so noticeable this season, becomes an annual reminder that all creation awaits redemption, and finds relief when the sun begins to stay longer. "For, lo, the winter is past. . ."

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[Ella Nafziger]

I am grateful for the many ways that you continue to shake me and remind me why I celebrate Christmas. Your daily messages as well as this "Meaning of Advent" help me to stay close to the One whose birth and resurrection we celebrate. Thank you.

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[Thomas Skayhan]

I found myself, in reflection experiencing all of the emotions and experience that this representation of Advent represents. As a single person, I at one time, experienced feelings of lonliness. I came to believe, that He is already here. I rejoice in this nowledge. I am no longer lonley, I am joyful.

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[Kendra Olson]

I have been reading your articles for some time now and just want to tell you how much they've changed my perception of Christianity. You might say they've "revolutionized" my faith. I will never think of Jesus' life in the same way again. You've helped me to understand God's word and its relevance in a way I never thought possible. I've especially enjoyed your articles on Advent because they give the holidays a much deeper meaning than the popular drivel that seems to surround them. God is obviously with you in your work and His light shines through your writing and publishing work.

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[Julie Foster]

I just discovered this site wanting to contemplate the meaning of Advent which I have kept as a time for centering myself in prayer and preparation for the joy of Christmas ... thank you for the readings for this Advent.

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[Cristina]

I liked your explanation very much. I enjoy your daily digs, they are the first thing I read when opening communications at the office.

Would you accept a contribution to broaden the meaning of Advent?
This is it: In many religions around the world spirituality is enhanced by the coming of an enlightened man or an incarnation of God. In India, it is believed that God takes human form not only once (in Jesus) but once and again through the history of humanity to restore truth, virtue, spiritual life. So advent means that He never leaves us alone and ignorant of what is really important. May Christmas bring you the happiness that comes with such a belief.
Thank you for your daily digs!

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[Wes Konrad]

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your Advent message.

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[Vera]

My theory of Christmas is: why has everyone made Christmas out to be the largest money making day. None of our children has any idea what Christmas is or what the true meaning realy is. They have this theory that Christmas is $300. /$400. toys and if they don't get that, they throw a fit. Society is ruining our children. We need to bring the true meaning back. There is too many angry moments during the holidays. We need to bring the Christchild back into the picture, get rid of the sales rep, bring back the true meaning of the holidays. As a child i can remember sitting at the table listening to my great-grandparents telling us about the Christchild and how important his birth should be to us. I cherrish those memories. May God open up everyones hard heart that does not believe in his son and repair their hearts with the true meaning of the holidays...

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[Deb Mechler]

I appreciate the comment about not only expectancy but also readiness for action.

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[Bob King]

Bonhoffer is pushing the right button. Since he lived Advent, he can tell the truth with few words.

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[Joanna Harmon]

I truly appreciated this article for it really reflected my own feelings. I truly love Christmas and always have,... However, frequently my depression is worse at Christmas ... Many provide charitable gifts at Christmas but once Christmas is over it's out the door with the old tree and back to the "real world" where the poor and homeless are overlooked and neglected, the sick lie alone, the prisoners grow ill in their cells. Why does the "gift" that Jesus is get shoved away in the closets of our lives until next Christmas? It is so unalterably sad to me. Christmas should be 365 days of the year! For the gift we have received is for every day of our lives and is meant to be shared and celebrated.

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[Roger Hull]

It is so easy to push Advent into the background. Our family does a couple of things to help us be aware of the season. I will briefly describe one of them.

Instead of putting out the nativity scene with everyone present, on the first Sunday of Advent we put out the stable and a couple of animals. The three wise men are put out at the other end of the house (in a far away land), Joseph is in another part of house, closer to the stable, the shepards are somewhere else but fairly near the stable, Mary is placed in yet another place, and the baby and the angel are hidden in a drawer. The second Sunday of Advent the angel is placed with Mary and we read the account of the angel's visit with Mary from Luke. The third Sunday of Advent the angel is moved to be with Joseph and the account from Matthew is read. The fourth Sunday of Advent Mary is moved to be with Joseph. Then, the days leading up to Christmas Mary and Joseph are moved closer to the stable each day finally arriving early on Christmas eve. The baby Jesus is placed in the crib just before attending the Christmas Eve service. After the service the shepards are moved to the stable and the story of the shepards is read. The next morning the shepards are returned to their fields. Then, each day leading to Epiphany the wise men are moved closer and closer and finally arrive on Epiphany and their story is read. The next day everything is put away until next year. This helps us keep the story alive and keeps us from forgetting about it during the Advent season.

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[Wes Konrad]

Thank you for your Advent Message. Advent is my favorite season of the Church Year because it gives me four weeks to consider how I can best prepare the soil of my heart for the replanting of the Savior in my life.

Jesus came in God's good time. As you said, His birth was very humble. It is only in humility that we can receive Him. His coming at Bethlehem was not an earth-shaking event. But His taking flesh prepared those who knew Him for His death and resurrection. But still relatively few were impacted by His gift of New Life for all persons. Now He comes to us in forms of bread and wine. The Eucharist has brought the Incarnation, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection into focus for countless believers. He is there at the Altar and we joyfully receive Him. Thanks be to God for His marvelous gift of Life to those who believe. Thanks be to God for His intent that all men/women be brought into His presence at the last Advent.

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[kim muldoon]

Thanks so much for "The Meaning Of Advent". I need these kinds of reminders of the truth and the reality of the incarnation and of all of the elements of our faith. Your daily writings have been a staple for me, so far from my church community. I appreciate the work you put into this endeavor because it is one of the wonderful ways God is revealing Himself. I've been wanting to comment after each reading, but knew that you would be hearing from me entirely too much. Please keep them coming! Bless you. Kim

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[Annette]

This article touched me deeply. Such wonderful insight into the true meaning of Christmas and so succinctly written Thank-you.

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[BJ Scott]

this made things very clear, yet in my studies and searching, i have yet to find WHAT chararistics (love, hope, joy, peace ....) is what we study, outline in devotions for this time. some start at the end of november and study the four i mentioned but it is hard for me to put the explination in a short explination to my 13 year old as well as the less dedicated belivers i work with.(i phrase it that way as i am not sure who all are Active Christians and who are comma Christians (non active, non church going, they believe but who knows what they believe more than a surpreme being/creator)(i'll get off my soap box {grin})
as i grow in my new marriage, church family and belief systems, i study and research what i can to share with my spouce and child. he is new in the church, a helper and doer - growing like a weed, as is our daughter. i am the one who was a comma christian for over 20 years and 3 years ago woke to the fact, i was not growing and not doing as my Father had asked me to do. share, teach, reach and occassionally rest on his beach.
if you could help me increase my knowledge base on this time of Advent i would be greatful. i have signed up for the daily email but i have missed the first week. i would like to have it as well if there is a way to have it sent.
thank you and may you have a blessed day.
lori

[P Crosby]

This devotional (along with the other Advent stories and articles), has blessed me SO much. All of December I have waited expectantly to read and meditate. This Advent season is the most special one I have experienced because of your fine inspiration.

[Ray Wade]

Excellent commentary about the meaning of this most holy season.

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[Virginia Fadden]

Your Advent messages have really spoken to me, and this one most of all. In a season of churches performing singing Christmas trees and celebrations before the Birth (complete with tinsel and grab bag gifts for all), the mindfulness of preparation for the Coming in this holy season expressed in your Daily Digs are just what I needed. My husband and I have read them and discussed them each and every one. Thank you for adding to our time of getting ready...Peace to you all, Virginia

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[Santy Mathew]

It made me reflect a lot....

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[Linda Chandler]

This is the best exposition of Advent I have seen.
Thanks for using it. I'm e-mailing it to friends. I'm so glad you reinstated the Daily Dig. It's become one of my favorite e-mails. Thanks, Linda

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[Louise]

Advent has always been such a special time! A sort of minor Lent in a way. A way of looking back so one can look forward....and how the world must have been before He arrived. Like the author I continue to get a tingling when saying my rosary when John the Baptist, still in the womb, recognized Jesus in Marys womb! What joy and oh, the search of the Magi! It is liken to the search of many today. The hope of finding the Savior! The anticipation [remembrance] can be so powerful and life changing. My candles are not the color they are supposed to me but the Lord knows my heart! Thank you for reminding us again of this special 4 weeks. Decorations for me wait until Christmas eve and stay up until January 6th. Just part of Advent!

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[Rev. Lee Sissel]

A wonderful piece. It captures well the thought I have been trying to get nailed down. I am doing a four part teaching series for Advent using the advent section of Handels the Messiah. I am teaching on the Scripture the words are taken from and the director of music is talking about the music and the historicity of the selections themselves. I will use this article in my introduction to the series, it captures what I wanted to say so well.

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[Bettye Butler]

Thank you so much for this devotional, "The Meaning of Advent" by Charles Moore. I am a lay speaker and have been asked to speak in my church on Dec. 4th. Ive made a good start toward the preparation of my talk and needed some input and fresh thinking on the meaning of Advent. This came at the perfect time for me and it is so exactly the jump-start for what I needed to complete my talk. Of course I will attribute any of Mr. Moores quotes that I use.

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[Judith Philpot]

The thrust of this article is quite similar to what I hear my priests say in church.

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[Troy]

Outstanding.

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[Emy]

The article was good. People are really beginning to lose the essence of Advent even me too. It made me reflect alot. Its high time we start having a rethink of how we spend our Advent, true...

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[Karen]

Advent is my Favorite season of the liturgical year. The first Sunday of Advent (Nov. 27) (akin to Jan. 1 in the secular calendar) for the Church. I have an Advent Wreath with four candles for each Sunday of Advent (3 purple and 1 pink) and a center candle of white representing the Christ Child (lit after sunset on Christmas Eve). There is something so calming seeing the Advent Wreath setting on our dining table where each Sunday we light first the one, the the first and second candles, and so on through Advent.
We are reminded of the reason for the up-coming celebration of Chrsitmas and prepare our hearts for His coming. There is something so calming about candlelight, isnt there. I dont find myself getting caught up in all the frenzied hassle so many people I know do. Perhaps it is the peace of this beautiful Advent Wreath I made years ago and the successive lighting of the candles.
On Christmas Morning the 3 purple and 1 pink candle are changed to white and are lit each evening during the 12 Days of Christmas - yes, they fall After Christmas, not before! When the wreath is put away on January 6th, Epiphany Day, the day celebrating the Coming of the Wise Men, my family looks back at a fulfilled and peace-filled Christmas and not one of stress and hectic times. I wish all would learn and practice this beautiful ancient tradition. A Glorious Advent to All!

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[Kathy Hill]

Advent is waiting...... for that for which we pine .... & not the decorations of Life, but for what will Feed us Daily: Our Bread - of - Life. I have become so filled w/ the works of Eberhard Arnold! What vitamins for my soul! :-) I found him in Daniel Ellsbergs book on SAINTs for our time & have been immersed in reading for the last several days. Thanks for the intro!

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[Jen]

Thank you for this. It will be a source of meditation from now until Christmas.

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[Shelbey Krahn]

The author has echoed my yearly thoughts on Advent. While I attended a Christian college, where the chaplain had done his doctorate on liturgy, I experienced a profound and moving understanding of Advent as a time to "prepare ye the way of the Lord." As a child and then even as a teen attending a Christian high school, I had little exposure and certainly no understanding of the church calendar. Without my college experience, I think I would be, like most North Americans, Christian and non-Christian alike, consumed by societys commercialism and sentimentalism of Christmas. My closest friend is an atheist who thinks she "doesnt need religions help to be good." Yet shes putting well over a thousand dollars and months of mental energy into making Christmas special. Then, after the hoopla of presents is finished, she inevitably feels enormously empty and disappointed. The presents, the concerts, the family gatherings, and the great food are the cake and icing of Christmas. If the meat and potatoes of Christ are missing, the meal isnt satisfying.

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[Daria]

Thank you for this inspiring article. Your words, "If the essence of Advent is expectancy, it is also readiness for action: watchfulness for every opening, and willingness to risk everything for freedom and a new beginning" gave me a revitalized vision of this often paradoxical season. Instead of looking at Advent as a time to wrap up everything -- from gifs to year-end accomplishments -- Ill try to live each day as a new beginning, Christ within me.

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[William F. Coffey]

Advent is a time that we wait and hope for the bursting forth of love into our lives. Would that we would be advent people every day of the year! Advent proclaims that today is the day, look and be awake!

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[Rooz]

ADVENT. what is really the meaning of this? As a child..Christmas is a season where i really loved most. It is not only the known fact that we are celebrating Jesus, our saviour birthday, but for the different spirit it conveys. Gifts are everywhere..you can hear carols..the laughters. The families are altogether. Many are praying or simply enjoying the crisp clear nights & frosty mornings. What a wonderful experience. As i grow old..Go through the roller coaster of life.. Advent shapes a deeper meaning. It is not only a season of fun. it is the perfect timing wherein you can reflect on your life. The time where we make ready of ourselves to be worthy of Jesus. To repent..sismply to be born again. A high time to make a vow between oneself & God. A vow where you can live.. living the life what God wants us to bear. it is not a linient task however, having the FAITH & will power we can be victorious on this mission. Why wait? constitute a move and PROSPER in GOD!

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[Scott Lyons]

The Advent, the preparation for the Coming, is a remarkable time for those of us who believe. It is our chance to recognize that the Kingdom begins here with us. Jesus gave us a task. It may be too few of us really turn our hand to that task. If more of us who are Christians really took the Gospel for truth instead of some pious and fashionable platitudes, catch-phrases, spins or pretty tales, we might really facilitate the coming, the advent, of the Kingdom of our Father. Arent we told to redeem the time? Arent we expected to work to restore Eden? We are made new in Him. With that comes the responsibility of making new all that we touch. New wine cannot be put into old wineskins, neither in us nor the wider Creation. From us must flow the gifts of the Spirit into His Creation.
Bonhoeffer is quite right (in your paraphrase). If we truly believed, not gave lip service, but truly believed, the Gospel, we would be terrified. I for one, have no idea how I will talk my way out of my reckless behavior. Lets face it, once we are indwelt by the Holy Ghost (holy guest) there is no excuse for faithless living.
I think, though, that we do not understand that our God, the Triune God, is a Living Deity. He is not wallpaper, but living. We do forget that and we forget, too, that the same God, Who sent prophets then, still sends prophets today. He is the same God, and we, regretfully, are the same, unheeding people. We still persecute the prophets among us.
Let us, then, draw near with fear and trembling, in holy awe. We dare not stand in His Presence in our pride and self-assuredness. That will not do. We dare not tempt Him.
When Jesus, Who knows all things I have done, asks me "Why?" what do I say? Certainly, it is better if I set my hand to the plough and not look back. Besides, if I keep busy working for His Kingdom, I will stand less chance of getting into trouble!
May the Holy Ghost open our eyes now, that we may begin His work. Jesus assures us we all get the same pay, so we may as well begin sooner, rather than later. (Practice makes perfect, after all.) Show ourselves anxious to work for Him, instead of lazily waiting in the town-square. If we read the Gospels, we know what needs to be done, why do we wait?
St. Teresa dAvila made the point centuries ago, that ours are the hands of Jesus. In all humility, we are the only Jesus others come into contact with. It behooves us to put our best foot forward. If they dont see the Gospel alive in us, where do they look and how do we explain this to Him?
Even so, Come, Lord Jesus.

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[Ron]

Esther de Walle once wrote that "the Christian life is a series of open doors." That ties in with what Bonhoeffer has to say about the door of the prison cell opening from the outside. Advent is the opening of the door and it is never to be shut.

Responding to http://www.bruderhof.com/articles/MeaningOfAdvent.htm

[Richard T. Purchase]

Advent will man little unless it is seen in all three of its dimensions, past, present and future. The Christ who came, comes today and comes again to establish His Kingdom. Sears can have a Christmas sale, because it views Advent only in the past- the manger, Bethlehem, shepherds. KMart will never, however have a Second Advent Sale. The former can be brought under control, secularized and minimized because it is in the past. The Christ of the future cannot be controlled or minimized. To celebrate past present and future advent would free us from the baggage that hinders our ability to love and respect Him in all His fullness and glory.

Responding to http://www.bruderhof.com/articles/MeaningOfAdvent.htm

[Sandie]

First let me thank you " Daily Dig " for the excellent provision of uplifting and teaching messages. When I opened the mail today and read the article by Charles Moore it helped me to understand the reasons for my current state of mind.. Yes, I am addressing Christmas cards and making sure I add Gods Blessings and, most of all, being sure that the word CHRISTMAS is on each card. With the atheists of the world trying to ( and succeeding in ridding HIM from our lives ) as well as our constitutional rights I realize that preparing for the Advent should be in our lives year round. I am not a fanatically religious person, however, my inner self knows and accepts that God does exist and without him there is no foundation in our lives. Looking out of the window right now I see the beauties he has provided and during the spring and summer I am in my glory when the many Hummingbirds arrive at our feeders they seem like Gods gifts. When successful removal of prayer from our schools was accomplished many years ago I stated, " This is the beginning of the end. " Thus my heart ached, not only for the future generations, but for us all. When it rains I can almost feel Gods tears as he weeps. Life has no meaning any longer as is proven daily with the killings , many by teens. Our radio, TV, movies and book stores have implanted wrong messages and it is breaking my heart. I thank you Daily Dig for allowing me to vent about "Advent " and Charles and others who have shared their thoughts.

Responding to http://www.bruderhof.com/articles/MeaningOfAdvent.htm

[Steph Kodatt]

Advent is the period before Jesus Christs Birth. Advent is a time for all to give thanks and praise to Jesus Christ. It is also a time to give thanks for those who have brought you closer to Jesus Christ. May GOD Bless!!!

Responding to http://www.bruderhof.com/articles/MeaningOfAdvent.htm

[Antoinette Holmeyer]

Advent to me is a time of anticipation. All the hoopla is just the outer shell covering the core meaning which is the birth of our Lord and Savior. It is the only thing that keeps me sane as I struggle with what to get for 5 children, 12 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. They are what keeps me young at heart.

Responding to http://www.bruderhof.com/articles/MeaningOfAdvent.htm

[Hb]

Christmas without Christ is like (forgive the choice) Cheeseburger without cheese. If served with this, most people would be deeply offended saying: "Ive been robbed!". Well it seems we are robbing ourselves of the true Christmas each year.

So whats the cheese in Christmas? Its in sharing with those who have not - not only in adding to those who already have (in abundance). It is in contemplating the wonder of an omnipotent Creator coming down into the humble form of His creation. It certainly is a thing of joy, peace and thanksgiving, not a thing of wild-eyed chaos.

Thank you guys for sharing these daily thot provoking lines, its a breath of fresh air in a world filled with commercial information, and an eager "chasing of the wind".

Responding to http://www.bruderhof.com/articles/MeaningOfAdvent.htm

[Mary]

For Advent, I wish to change my approach and attitude to Life itself and create a peaceful and harmonious existence which we really need in the world we live in.

Responding to http://www.bruderhof.com/articles/MeaningOfAdvent.htm

[Kelsey]

I thought this article was great. Being a women, it is so easy to get caught up in the "materialism" of the world. I had actually not even thought about Advent. But now, it is in my heart, and as others are thinking about what sales to hit today - the day after Thanksgiving...I am looking for my candles and preparing my heart and soul for what Christmas is really about. I will start advent Sunday by reading the article to my family.

Responding to http://www.bruderhof.com/articles/MeaningOfAdvent.htm

[Joe Pellegrino]

Inspiring - I especially relate to the prison metaphor - it is only with Gods help that we can oversome the slavery of sin.

Responding to http://www.bruderhof.com/articles/MeaningOfAdvent.htm

[Barbara Susan]

It is a time of contrasting emotions. The depression that comes with the commercialism, the joy that comes with the anticipation of the coming of Christmas, the guilt that comes with knowing that I have so many material and spiritual gifts already, the joy of knowing that I will always continue to receive the grace so freely given. It is a time of contemplating these things, preparing for the coming of the one who will help me to smooth the differences, applying the balm of the grace to the guilt of overindulgence. Every advent I am given the opportunity to reflect and re-work my plan to "get it right." Every day I am given the opportunity to apply this plan to help others while helping myself (In order to love ones neighbor, you must first love yourself and know that you are capable of giving that love.) Your article(s) helps me to continue to try to "get it right," to understand how Jesus teaches me to be "in the world but not of it."

Responding to http://www.bruderhof.com/articles/MeaningOfAdvent.htm

[Sharon]

Thank you for reminding us of the "reason for the season". As human beings we need a reminder of where our heart needs to be and that the world sees Christmas in an entirely different way, as Christians the worlds Christmas is not ours.

Responding to http://www.bruderhof.com/articles/MeaningOfAdvent.htm

[Edward Schreiber]

On Thanksgiving Day, I watched "Miracle on 34th Street," the same day I watched the Macys parade in the city and saw reports of a balloon in the parade hitting a light post and knocking the fixture off, injuring children below. "Miracle on 34th Street" focuses on Macys, of course, and the scene when I started watching was the one where Kris Kringle (spelling?) is talking to a worker at Macys who says something like, "There are many bad isms and the worst is commercialism. Its all about make a buck, make a buck, make a buck." Charles Moores comments about the flurry of activities and stress of the "holiday season" can be related to the commercialism which drives the economy and threatens to destroy the spiritual meaning of Advent. Some are calling for today, the day after Thanksgiving, to be a day to buy nothing. Not a bad idea.

Responding to http://www.bruderhof.com/articles/MeaningOfAdvent.htm

[Brian]

If the heart is right then the ritual is right.

Responding to http://www.bruderhof.com/articles/MeaningOfAdvent.htm

[Fern Wilson]

I really felted blessed by this article. I have a tradition with my children in which we pop open a little window on an advent calendar and they recieve a piece of chocalate candy each day until Christmas. They love this activity and scamp around the house each day in anticipation for their little sweet treat. I felt sad as I read the article was I realized that "advent" to my children means a calendar with candy in it. Then I thought again, until this moment it had been my understanding of advent as well. I never sat and thought about the meaning of the word. "Arrival" brought imagines of my pregnancies
and the joy I experience waiting for their births. What excitement and happiness there was in my heart. Then I thought of Christ and his coming and what he has meant to my life and I am ashamed at the flippant way i have treated advent all these years. Thank you for some much needed insight.This year I plan to explain advent throughly to the children and wait joyously for the Christ.

Responding to http://www.bruderhof.com/articles/MeaningOfAdvent.htm

[Maurice]

I have been searching for something encouraging, empowering, enlightning, and oh so positive and liberating if I may. Your thought provoking message has helped me to better understand the true meanings of the phrase "reason for the season." Keep em coming.... thank you, thank you, thank you.

Responding to http://www.bruderhof.com/articles/MeaningOfAdvent.htm

[Paul]

Thanks.

Responding to http://www.bruderhof.com/articles/MeaningOfAdvent.htm

[JuneRose]

We, my husband and I, thank God many times each day for the good news of salvation for ourselves and all the others who are awakening to the wonderful love of God. This is truly a special season because many are at least thinking of GIVING instead of getting. We have been studying the lessons in a book called "A Course in Miracles", and the messages in this book are straight from Jesus, and have completely changed our hearts and lives. We are really beginning to grasp the true meaning of the Advent, which is the acceptance of the true love of Jesus in our minds and hearts. We have known about Jesus, but since practicing the lessons of forgiveness and oneness given in this book, we are actually practicing this love in our daily lives. The blessings we are receiving each day are truly miracles. A friend called our attention to your web site and our hearts rejoice to see that you folks are also sharing His love. We know God is blessing you.

Responding to http://www.bruderhof.com/articles/MeaningOfAdvent.htm

[Antony Arulraj]

This article helped me have a deeper grasp of the mystery of incarnation and enabled me to undertake a spiritual preparation for the celebration of Christmas.

Responding to http://www.bruderhof.com/articles/MeaningOfAdvent.htm