THE SEASON OF ADVENT
Advent is the first season of the Church year. It is composed of the four weeks leading up to Christmas Day on December 25. Advent literally means “the coming.” This season is about preparation, not performance or perfection.
We are preparing our hearts to welcome Christ in his coming–first through setting the ground to understand the story of the incarnation as he came to Bethlehem, then in grateful awareness of how he has come to us in our own salvation story, and in holy anticipation as we look to Christ’s second coming.
As John the Baptist cried out, “Prepare the way of the Lord!” in anticipation of Christ’s manifestation to the world, we can mark Advent in simple ways that remind us and others that we are preparing the way of the Lord. In Advent we prepare ourselves to meet Christ afresh as Savior and Lord.
The Church Year helps us live our lives in Christ as we walk through the various seasons following Christ.
Advent - Anticipating the coming Christ
Christmas - Celebrating God coming in the flesh
Epiphany - Celebrating Christ as Savior of the World
Lent - Preparing for Holy Week
Holy Week - The culmination of Christ’s ministry in His death and resurrection.
Pentecost - The coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Church.
Here are some ways of how you might intentionally enter into this Advent season:
Worship:
Participate in the Sunday morning Advent service all four Sundays of Advent.
Christmas Eve Service
Christmas Day Service
Community:
St. Nicholas Party
St. Lucia / Food Bank Service Project
Parent Day Out
Las Posadas
Personal/Family:
Read a daily Advent devotional (Counting down to Christmas or Jesse Tree devotionals provided)
Use an Advent Wreath (a new candle is lit each week).
Use na Advent Calendar (marks each day).
Mission Pilgrimage
Mission Pilgrimage
Throughout Advent
Join us a for a pilgrimage along El Camino de San Antonio Missions where we engaged in silence, prayer, and meditation. Guides will be provided.
What to bring:
Backpack, snacks, water bottle, small Bible, journal, pens, sunglasses, hat, walking shoes.
Wreath Making
Sunday, November 24th
Made in our Table Groups
An Advent Wreath is a great way to bring into your home the spirit of reflection and waiting at the heart of the Advent season.
Starting with the first Sunday of Advent, each Sunday a candle is lit in the Divine Service. Candles can be lit before dinner, as an evening family devotional, or at any time that’s a good time to talk about what they mean. This is a great time to read your Advent devotional or pray a brief prayer.
St. Nicholas Festival
Wednesday, December 4th @ 5:30pm
Who was the real Saint Nicholas? What should we remember about him? And how does he connect to Advent?
Join us for a party in honor of the historic Bishop of Myra! We will eat a Mediterranean finger food dinner since Nicholas hailed from modern day Turkey; traditional Speculatius cookies and mulled wine (grape juice available for kids and adults!) are also on the menu.
In addition to our meal we will have several activities that teach us about St. Nick! He was known for his often secret generosity, so there will be some opportunities for following in his footsteps, as well as a chimney coin toss for the kids, crafts, and a visit from the Bishop himself. Those who leave their shoes at the door may find a surprise at the end of the night! Come join us for an evening celebrating what Christ did through Saint Nicholas, and what He can do through us!
Learn more about St. Nicholas here.
Parent Morning Out
Saturday, December 7th @ 9:00-11:30am
We are hosting an Advent themed VBS for children crawlers-6th grade on Saturday, December 7th from 9:00-11:30am. The heart is to bless parents by giving them a chance to go do Christmas shopping or go on a breakfast date.
Please RSVP your children here.
Caelen Cowan is the leader on this event and has a wonderful team of volunteers.
Food Bank Service Project
Saturday, December 14th (1:30-4:00pm) and
Saturday, December 21st (8:30-10:30am)
St. Lucia Day
On December 13th we remember St. Lucia (also Lucy), an early-fourth-century martyr who brought food and aid to Christians hiding in the Roman catacombs during a time of persecution. She lit her way wearing a candle lit wreath on her head to light her way and leave her hands free to carry as much food as possible.
Check out our blog post to learn more about her.
There is no better way to celebrate this day than serving the physical needs of those in need.
We have two dates reserved to serve at the San Antonio Food Bank and at the New Braunfels Food Bank doing Warehouse sorting and packing.
What:
Groups and individuals work together to sort and/or pack produce, non-perishable foods, and household items, preparing them for distribution. Duties may include checking for expiration dates, opened packages and spoilage, labeling cans, and packing bags of food or household items. Other duties may include general cleaning of the area, breaking down boxes etc. This project is fun and rewarding for both adults and children.
Option 1
When: Saturday, December 14th from 1:30-4:00 PM (two and half hour shift)
Volunteers Slots Available: 20
Location: San Antonio Food Bank
Option 2
When: Saturday, December 21st from 8:30-10:30 AM (two hour shift)
Volunteers Slots Available: 18
Location: New Braunfels Food Bank, 1620 South Seguin Avenue, New Braunfels, TX, 78130
Las Posadas
Wednesday, December 18th at 6:00pm
Las Posadas literally means “the inns” and is a festival where the participants re-enact Mary and Joseph trying to find lodging at numerous inns. Everyone will start together in one location, then walk to different stops (inns) where they sing a song (led by a mariachi band) seeking a place to stay. There will be a few people at each stop (inn keepers) who turn the group away with a response song. At the final stop, everyone is invited in and the festivities begin.
All are welcome to stay after the procession for a cup of Mexican hot chocolate and buñuelos, while the kids take a swing at a piñata. Everything will be held outdoors.
The program can be viewed here.
When: Wednesday, December 18th at 6:00pm. The procession will last from 6-6:30, with hot chocolate and piñata to follow.
Where: Soccer field at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 1416 N Loop 1604 E, San Antonio, TX 78232
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Tuesday, December 24th at 3:30pm
Join us as we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ in singing Christmas songs, hearing the story of Christ’s birth, and having a traditional candlelight.
When: 3:30-5:00pm
Where: Woehler Family Center (located behind St. Thomas Episcopal Church), 1416 N Loop 1604 E, San Antonio, TX 78232
Christmas Day Divine Service
Wednesday, December 25th @ 9:30am
Join us at 9:30am as we gather to continue the celebration of the Word of God taking on flesh in the incarnation as we gather for homemade cinnamon roles at 10am, and a Christmas service at 9:30am.