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Alan Burns

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The joy of Advent
« on: December 14, 2018, 02:36:48 PM »
Our church celebrates two distinct phases of Advent.

During the first phase up to the 16th December, daily readings concern the anticipation and preparation for the second coming of Christ.  The second phase from 16th December prepares us for the celebration of our Saviour's birth.

Many people look at the second coming with fear and anxiety.  But this year as we near the end of the first phase of Advent, I feel more joyful than ever in thinking of the second coming.  For those who have faithfully accepted Jesus as their Saviour, we can look forward to the second coming taking away sin and bring an end to evil.  The words of one of my favourite Advent hymns keep coming to mind:

Come Lord Jesus, come again.
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The truth will set you free  - John 8:32
Truth is not an abstraction, but a person - Edith Stein
Free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having. - CS Lewis
Joy is the Gigantic Secret of Christians - GK Chesterton

Anchorman

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Re: The joy of Advent
« Reply #1 on: December 14, 2018, 02:58:49 PM »
Quote from: Alan Burns on December 14, 2018, 02:36:48 PM
Our church celebrates two distinct phases of Advent.

During the first phase up to the 16th December, daily readings concern the anticipation and preparation for the second coming of Christ.  The second phase from 16th December prepares us for the celebration of our Saviour's birth.

Many people look at the second coming with fear and anxiety.  But this year as we near the end of the first phase of Advent, I feel more joyful than ever in thinking of the second coming.  For those who have faithfully accepted Jesus as their Saviour, we can look forward to the second coming taking away sin and bring an end to evil.  The words of one of my favourite Advent hymns keep coming to mind:

Come Lord Jesus, come again.



Do you follow the Revised Common Lectionary set readings?
My own church kind of roughly follows them, and we, two, have followed the same pattern.
I'll be using the RCL on the 30th as my texts.
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Alan Burns

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Re: The joy of Advent
« Reply #2 on: December 14, 2018, 04:06:17 PM »
Quote from: Anchorman on December 14, 2018, 02:58:49 PM

Do you follow the Revised Common Lectionary set readings?
My own church kind of roughly follows them, and we, two, have followed the same pattern.
I'll be using the RCL on the 30th as my texts.
The readings I follow are from the morning and evening prayers of the divine office, in addition to the daily Mass readings for the RC church.  I believe all are from the Jerusalem bible.
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The truth will set you free  - John 8:32
Truth is not an abstraction, but a person - Edith Stein
Free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having. - CS Lewis
Joy is the Gigantic Secret of Christians - GK Chesterton

Anchorman

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Re: The joy of Advent
« Reply #3 on: December 14, 2018, 07:11:58 PM »
Quote from: Alan Burns on December 14, 2018, 04:06:17 PM
The readings I follow are from the morning and evening prayers of the divine office, in addition to the daily Mass readings for the RC church.  I believe all are from the Jerusalem bible.
   



Yes - thought so! That accords with the RCL (with the exception of the Deuterocanonicals(
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"for, as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself."

SteveH

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Re: The joy of Advent
« Reply #4 on: December 21, 2018, 01:36:58 PM »
I trust everyone is fasting at the moment - no? But surely you realise that advent, like lent, is a period of fasting and self-denial?
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Anchorman

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Re: The joy of Advent
« Reply #5 on: December 21, 2018, 02:38:44 PM »
Quote from: Oliphant Chuckerbutty on December 21, 2018, 01:36:58 PM
I trust everyone is fasting at the moment - no? But surely you realise that advent, like lent, is a period of fasting and self-denial?
         


Never thought I'd say this, but.....
Thank God I'm a presbyterian.   
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"for, as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself."

Aruntraveller

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Re: The joy of Advent
« Reply #6 on: December 21, 2018, 11:48:26 PM »
Quote from: Oliphant Chuckerbutty on December 21, 2018, 01:36:58 PM
I trust everyone is fasting at the moment - no? But surely you realise that advent, like lent, is a period of fasting and self-denial?

I thought Advent was about getting those tiny little bits of chocolate out of those tiny little windows. Have I been misled again?
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Walt Zingmatilder

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Re: The joy of Advent
« Reply #7 on: December 22, 2018, 09:51:42 AM »
Quote from: Trentvoyager on December 21, 2018, 11:48:26 PM
I thought Advent was about getting those tiny little bits of chocolate out of those tiny little windows.
I think you'll find that's breaking and entering.
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Alan Burns

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Re: The joy of Advent
« Reply #8 on: December 24, 2018, 12:26:04 PM »
Quote from: Oliphant Chuckerbutty on December 21, 2018, 01:36:58 PM
I trust everyone is fasting at the moment - no? But surely you realise that advent, like lent, is a period of fasting and self-denial?
Fasting and self denial are more appropriate to Lent, as a reflection of Jesus spending forty days in the desert.

Advent is more at time for prayerful preparation for the celebration of the Lord's birth and anticipation of the second coming.
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The truth will set you free  - John 8:32
Truth is not an abstraction, but a person - Edith Stein
Free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having. - CS Lewis
Joy is the Gigantic Secret of Christians - GK Chesterton

SteveH

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Re: The joy of Advent
« Reply #9 on: December 24, 2018, 01:47:05 PM »
Quote from: Alan Burns on December 24, 2018, 12:26:04 PM
Fasting and self denial are more appropriate to Lent, as a reflection of Jesus spending forty days in the desert.

Advent is more at time for prayerful preparation for the celebration of the Lord's birth and anticipation of the second coming.
It was also, historically, a time of fasting, though not as strict as Lent, I don't think.
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2014/5-december/regulars/out-of-the-question/is-the-season-of-advent-a-fast
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