Evangelicals warm to Advent

USA Today:

Evangelical Christians are adopting — and adapting — the rituals of Advent, the four weeks leading up to Christmas that are traditionally celebrated by Catholics, Lutherans, Eastern Orthodox and other liturgical churches.
...
Popular evangelical authors are offering readings and composing prayers for the Advent season. And Family Christian Stores, the nation's largest Christian retailer with 301 stores nationwide, has seen sales of Advent-related items climb 35% in the past year.
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This year the chain is featuring characters from the VeggieTales video-and-book empire, with a Merry Christmas felt wall hanging that counts down from Dec. 1 to 24th with a candy cane to mark the days.

"We're also seeing big growth in demand for Advent candle sets, set in decorative wreaths, for family home devotionals, as people want to incorporate more old traditions," says Klamer.

Posted by John B. Chilton on November 26, 2008 9:00 AM | |
Comments (3)

John, USA Today is off slightly on their facts. The Orthodox begin Advent on November 15th, marking it with a forty day fast that's sometimes called 'little Lent.' Our Prayer Book names four Advent Sundays before Christmas, but The Revised Common Lectionary starts Advent-themed readings in synch with the longer Eastern Advent.

Posted by Donald Schell [TypeKey Profile Page] | November 26, 2008 12:25 PM

For more commentary on the timing of Advent/Nativity Fast check out these comments:

http://www.kendallharmon.net/t19/index.php/t19/article/18134/#comments

Posted by John B. Chilton [TypeKey Profile Page] | November 26, 2008 12:39 PM

I was wondering about this:

"In the 4th and 5th centuries, Advent was the preparation for the "Epiphany" rather than Christmas."

http://www.teachingmom.com/features/adventhistory.html

Would be glad to hear more.

Posted by John B. Chilton [TypeKey Profile Page] | November 28, 2008 1:27 PM

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