This coming Sunday is the first Sunday in the season of Advent.  Many people in our culture, if they think of Advent at all, view the season as “pre-Christmas”: a time for parties, Christmas music, and holiday decorations.  While these may be a part of the secular version of Christmas, for followers of Jesus Christ who observe the Christian Calendar this season has a different significance.  As I have said many times in the past, don’t expect to hear Christmas songs in church during Advent.  We’re saving those for the Twelve Days of Christmas (December 25^th through January 6^th)!  

Advent literally means “before the coming” and so this is a season to reflect on the way the people of Israel longed for the promised Messiah. Simultaneously, this season also reminds us that Christ is coming again.  This time he is not coming as a child and suffering servant, but as the glorious “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16).  Thus, in Advent we emphasize themes associated with the “Last Things” such as Christ’s return, the Last Judgment, and our readiness for these events.   

A couple of years ago when we sold our house in Durham, we had to be prepared for company at all times.  We never knew when a realtor would call and want to show the house.  That being the case we made sure that everything was clean and tidy at all times.  (This was particularly trying for our children!)  

Advent is like that.  We need to examine our lives and determine if we are ready to meet Christ we he comes suddenly and unexpectedly (Mark 13:32-36). In order to do this, Christians have traditionally viewed Advent, not as a time of feasting and parties, but of fasting, self-denial, and Spirit-led self-examination (Psalm 139:23-24).  

 The analogy of pregnancy also helps us understand the theme of the Advent season.  When a couple is expecting a baby they prepare a nursery, are careful to provide for the health of the mother and the unborn child, and begin to reorder their lives as they prepare for the excitement a new birth brings.   In the same way, we look forward to the Second Coming of Christ with excited anticipation.  We may find that we need to begin to reorder or our lives so that we are ready to receive him when he comes (Matthew 24:44-51).  

One of the ways that we are marking the season of Advent at Christ Church is by unveiling a piece of Christian art created by Amanda Rice, a member of Christ Church.  Amanda has “written” an icon that visually depicts the biblical themes of Advent.  (Traditionally icons are said to be “written” and not “painted” or “drawn.”  This is in part due to the fact that an icon is a visual representation of the Word of God.)  The icon is in the traditional style Eastern Orthodox (Byzantine) style.  Click here for a picture of this icon. 

The icon is a version of a traditional portrayal known as the “Theotokos of the Sign.”  Theotokos means “God-bearer” or “Mother of God” and is not so much a statement about Mary, but about the deity of Jesus Christ (John 1:1-18).  The “Sign” refers to Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”  Thus the icon visually communicates the word of Isaiah’s prophecy.

We should note that Mary is actually in the background of the icon, as Jesus Christ is pictured in an oval in front of Mary.  This symbolizes the incarnate God within the womb of Mary.  Mary has been called “more spacious than the heavens” because when she was pregnant with Jesus her womb cradled the infinite Creator of the universe (Colossians 1:16-17).   

As an evangelical Christian one of the things I love about traditional Byzantine iconography is that Mary is never depicted alone (this is not true of Roman Catholic and even Protestant art).  Rather, she is always portrayed in connection with Jesus Christ.  It is Mary’s humble acceptance of God’s will and the fact that she bore within her womb God-made-flesh that makes her significant for us.  In this way the Blessed Virgin Mary (Luke 1:48) serves as a vivid illustration of what it means to be a disciple: she says “yes” to God and (literally!) accepts Jesus Christ into her life.  

Mary is presented with her hands in the posture of prayer and praise (this is called the “orans” posture) which models our response to God’s amazing gift of his Son to the world (John 3:16).  

The stars on Mary’s head and shoulders symbolize Mary’s virginity and being set apart completely to God.  In this way we are reminded that followers of Jesus Christ are to be set apart (i.e. holy) to God and fully committed to him in our own lives (1 Peter 1:14-16).  

The Greek letters on either side of Mary’s head stand for “Mary” and “Theotokos.”  The Greek letters beside Jesus are the abbreviations for “Jesus” and “Christ.”  

Jesus is depicted with his right hand making a sign of blessing.  The position of the fingers actually forms the Greek letters Chi and Sigma which are the abbreviation for “Christos.”  He is holding a violet in his left hand which symbolizes humility and is a direct reference to Philippians 2:5-8 (ESV): “Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”   

During Advent, we are like Mary.  As baptized, born again (Galatians 3:27) believers we carry the Lord Jesus Christ within in us (Colossians 1:27) and we patiently, eagerly await the coming of our Savior (Philippians 3:20).  To help keep the spirit of Advent here are some suggestions:  

• Make it a special point to follow the daily Bible readings from The Book of Common Prayer for this season (www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/bcp/).  

• Fast at least one day a week if your are physically able (Wednesdays and Fridays if you want to be hard core!).   

• Keep your house constantly ready to receive company as a sign of waiting for Christ’s unexpected return.  

• Save your Christmas decorating and Christmas music until we get very close to Christmas.   

• Attend a weekly service of Evening Prayer (more on this later).  

May God grant you a holy and blessed Advent!