Asking the Clergy: What is the purpose of Advent?

Nov. 27 is the beginning of Advent, a season that Christians celebrate with Scripture readings, lighting candles and prayerful reflection on the four Sundays before Christmas. This week’s clergy discuss how the Advent period prepares believers for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas and his expected return in the Second Coming.

The Rev. Lawrence Duncklee

Pastor, St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Riverhead

Every Advent I ask my congregation to spend more time in prayerful reflection; read Scriptures, especially the prophets of hope; and pray for snow, 10 feet — the only thing that slows us down.

Advent has two parts. Part one looks toward the Second Coming of Christ; part two prepares us to remember and celebrate Jesus’ birth. We are called not to prepare to celebrate the Birth of Christ, but rather to bring the presence, the power and the love of Christ into the world. John the Baptist said: “Prepare ye the way of the Lord” (Mark 1:3). We are called to prepare ourselves for the Lord. Do not presume you are ready! That is why I know we need snow to slow down and be quiet in order to reflect on our world, our own lives and how we are making Christ born again into every aspect of our lives and the lives of others in our community.

Advent is a season of hope. The hope we have in what God does and will do for us — fulfilling the promise in Christ, to be with us always; and the hope that we, as children of God, can offer to the world.

The Very Rev. Michael T. Sniffen

Dean, Cathedral of the Incarnation, Garden City

Advent is a rich time of anticipation and wonder. During Advent, we pause quietly each Sunday to light a candle and remember that light conquers despair. The light grows brighter and brighter each week until it spills out in resounding joy and praise from Christmas to Epiphany. This ancient way of telling time slows us down and invites us to inhabit the present moment with gratitude. We remember that life is short and we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those around us.

Advent puts us in touch with the core of our Christian faith and life: Love of God and neighbor. Justice. Mercy. Compassion. Peace. The season culminates in the birth of Christ; a celebration of the church’s witness to the power of love. The quietness and introspection of Advent prepare the church to celebrate the Good News that God has come near to us in Jesus Christ and is with us in all we do, especially the hardships we endure.

Whatever the challenges of this day and age, we proclaim the brightness of the Lord and make manifest the love of God in every time and place.

The Rev. Rebecca C.L. Sheridan

Pastor, Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, Syosset

Advent might be compared to the experience of expectant parents who know they have about nine months to prepare for a newborn’s arrival. Expectant parents may spend their days decorating the nursery, visiting pediatricians and going to birthing classes; likewise, Christians also have much to do.

For Christians, Advent is not only a season of preparing to celebrate Christ’s birth at Christmas, it is also anticipating his return. We are not simply remembering a remarkable historical event about a baby born in Bethlehem. We are reminding one another of our core beliefs: Christ lives in us, and Christ will come again. The church is the body of Christ, and we are Christ to one another in our generous giving, in our service to those in need and in our words and actions.

In addition to getting out the decorations, buying presents and hosting parties, in Advent we look for signs of Christ’s presence among us. One of my favorite Christmas hymns, “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” puts it this way: “O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.”