…Church Year, of course, as today marks the first Sunday of Advent:

The Advent season marks the beginning of the Christian year in western Christianity. Its length varies from 22 to 28 days, beginning on the Sunday nearest St Andrew’s Day and encompassing the next three Sundays, ending on Christmas Day.

In the Roman Catholic Church and in some Anglican communities the third Sunday is called Gaudete Sunday, from the first word of the introit (psalm or antiphon) “Rejoice”. In some churches rose-colored vestments may replace the purple and flowers may be placed on the altar. In many eastern Christian churches, the church year begins in September 1 so Advent begins at a different time to when it starts in the western churches. The Eastern equivalent of Advent is called the Nativity Fast, which runs for 40 days. It is sometimes called Philip’s Fast, or the Philippian Fast, and begins on the day following the Feast of St Philip the Apostle (November 14).

Advent around the world is usually associated with the Advent calendars that parents give their children to help them count the days until Christmas. Preparation for Christmas is an important theme for Advent, particularly at the beginning. It is a time when the Christmas menu is planned, gifts are bought or made, then wrapped, carols are sung, Christmas cards are sent and houses are decorated with Christmas-themed lights and other decorations. Advent customs in some European countries, such as Germany, include lighting candles and hanging special Advent wreaths.

Every Advent my prayer table undergoes a small metamorphosis: the green linen is replaced with a dark violet covering and the stained-glass cross is replaced with a simple wooden one. (The same kind of change takes place when Lent arrives, except that I have a softer, lavender-colored linen.) I like the starkness of the dark violet – it not only reflects the seasonal change, but also the fact that the days are getting shorter, the nights longer, and the angle of the sun making the afternoons darker earlier. Some Lutheran churches use dark blue linen instead of purple; I’ve always liked that, but prefer the use of the dark violet.

I’ve always loved the transition from the green of Pentecost to the purple of Advent. Pentecost is such a long season, and both mentally and spiritually I welcome not just the color change, but the time for spiritual refreshment and the opportunity to start afresh. For me, I’ll be trying to recommit myself to a time of daily prayer and reflection to match my daily walks and another round of the Eades diet I did back in January. I feel very much in need of a fresh start, and with the dawn of a new Church Year, I figure why wait for the New Year to make some much-needed changes in all facets of my everyday life?

A blessed Advent season to everyone from Goodboys Nation weblog.