Tomorrow is Advent Candle Day

No you aren’t forgetting a holiday or anything.  Tomorrow is the usual day I take time during lunch to be alone and quiet and meditate.  I took a walk last week and really enjoyed it.  This week I am going to take the time to go searching for Advent candles for the new liturgical season.

I know it sounds geeky but I am really looking forward to it.  It’s the first Advent at The Plant, the church plant I am a partner in, and it’s making me giddy, and a little nervous, working toward establishing our own unique tradition as a faith community.  That means picking out the candles is important!

This is a meditative experience for me, which is counter-intuitive going into a place like Crate & Barrel or Pier 1 Imports.  People go there to shop, and I usually go to those places to shop, but this time I am picking out some pieces that will be redeemed through their use.  These candles and candelabras will be set apart, holy things used in holy worship.

In many ways it grounds the whole liturgical experience for me.  Starting in the new Christian year on November 30th I’ve decided to bake the bread for communion.  We’ll be decorating for worship services more.  The church plant is moving into a new season just as the church is moving into a new season, and I think that is cool.  It’s our first Christmas together as a community, and every little part counts.  Even the candles.