Dear friends-in-Christ,

This newsletter encompasses my reflection and anticipation for American Thanksgiving and our journey through Advent. The start of this particular week in November likely conjures thoughts of fellowship, football, travelling, and food. It begins our annual celebration of gluttony and consumerism. Jamil Smith,  editor-in-chief of the “Emancipator” writes, “There are additional reasons Thanksgiving is perhaps the most American of all holidays. For Indigenous people and their allies, this upcoming Thursday has always been and remains a day of protest and sorrowful remembrance of the murder, abuse, and cultural erasure White immigrants visited upon Indigenous peoples, to say nothing of the theft of their land.”

While in South Africa, I found it difficult to celebrate Heritage Day, for its historical significance relative to USA Thanksgiving Day. It’s a legacy that lives on today, of course, but a lot of people don’t want to think about genocide as they plan their Thanksgiving festivities. Ideally, this would be a time for all of us to both grieve and get moving, push ourselves beyond our reliance upon myths and falsehoods about America’s sordid past. We’ve found ways to be both closer and more distant from one another without actually having to sit down at a table together. No matter what scenes play out at American dinner tables, this Thursday will kick off the season of difficult conversations.

Advent begins on Sunday December 1. Advent is officially the season of preparation in the Christian community for the celebration of the birth, or coming (aka advent) of Christ. Some people even see it as a preparatory period for the Second Coming of Christ, which has yet to happen. Traditionally, Advent begins on the Sunday nearest the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle (November 30th) and ends on December 24th. Then, Christmas begins December 25th at midnight. Each Christian denomination celebrates Advent a bit differently, however it’s common to come together for special scriptural readings and ceremonies on each of the four Sundays before Christmas day.

This is a time to spiritually prepare ourselves to figuratively receive the Christ Child into our hearts as we celebrate His birth, as well as think about the preparation required to welcome His return. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer is quoted as saying, “The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come.”

Advent comes from the Latin adventus, which means “arrival”. The Advent tradition celebrates the four week period of preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ (Christmas). Advent is observed every Sunday of that four week period, but other activities that are Advent related can be celebrated any time in December. The true meaning of Advent is found when we reflect upon the first advent (or coming) of Christ, and prepare for the second advent of Christ (when He returns). It’s a time of hope & faith; expectation of good things to come; prayer and personal improvement; spiritual preparation.

This year we will focus on the “Journeying the Way of Love” Advent program. We kick off with THE ANNUNCIATION: SAYING “YES” TO THE JOURNEY. We will also be handing our children an Advent Calendar for them to use during Advent. Please note further events at St. Cyprian’s during Advent:

December 8 – St. Nicholas will visit us. Bring your children

December 15 – Lessons and Carols. THERE WILL BE ONE SERVICE AT 4.00 PM. This service will include Holy Communion. There was no morning service that day.

Blessed Thanksgiving,

Pax et Bonum

Noble+