Saturday, November 28, 1998

Advent emphasizes solemn preparation for Christmas

By LORETTA FULTON

Senior Staff Writer

Friday marked the biggest shopping day of the year, the day after Thanksgiving when preparation for Christmas begins in earnest.

Consider this alternative: the Nativity Fast, prescribed by Eastern Orthodox churches since the 9th century as a way of preparing for Christmas in earnest.

In addition to abstinence from meat and dairy products, the 40-day fast calls for intensified prayer and almsgiving, or acts of charity, for the days leading up to Christmas.

That alternative is rarely chosen today, but some denominations do emphasize a solemn preparation for Christmas during Advent, which begins Sunday, in the midst of shopping mania.

"I guess long ago people did that," the Rev. Frederick Nawarskas, priest at Holy Family Catholic Church, said of fasting during Advent.

Advent is the first season of the church year. Its name is derived from the Latin word for "coming," and the four-week period marks the coming of the Christ Child.

Some churches observe Advent traditions such as the familiar Advent wreath, which consists of four candles that are lit each Sunday leading to Christmas and one white candle in the center signifying the birth of Christ. Often the wreath is made of evergreen branches.

One interpretation says that "Christians are reminded of God's endless love by the circular shape. They see eternal life in the evergreen branches, and the Light of the World in the candle flame."

According to tradition, the wreath grew out of an ancient northern European custom in which wagon wheels decorated with candles hung in celebration halls while prayers were offered to a solar deity, requesting sunlight and longer days.

Although Advent isn't a penitential season like Lent, which precedes Easter, it is meant to be observed in a solemn way.

"We don't sing any Christmas music until Christmas," Nawarskas said.

Several Abilene churches are having special Advent activities, which include entertaining events as well as opportunities to reflect on the season.

An enjoyable way to learn how the days leading to Christmas are observed worldwide is to check out the website created by children of Bernadotteskolen, the International School in Denmark. (http://www.algonet.se/tildebernadot/christmas/calendar.html)

A gaily drawn Christmas tree is ringed with packages, each with a number from 1-23. Number 24 is on the tree itself. Click onto the appropriate number each day of Advent and see how a child in a particular country celebrates Christmas and the days leading to it.

The first day was created by a child in Denmark who tells about how his house is decorated with elves in the first part of December. On Dec. 24, the family goes to a friend's house and exchanges presents. Duck and pork are served for dinner.

The children's creative comments and drawings, with their obvious delight in the coming of Christmas, points out that Advent is a time for joy as well as solemn reflection.

"Unlike Lent, it is not strictly a penitential season but a season of growing expectation and joy," said Holy Family's Nawarskas. "And don't our children show us how!"

Scripture readings during Advent offer a model for our own living, Nawarskas said: Joyful expectation, repentance that centers on God, not ourselves, and a humble, obedient devotion.

"It's a time when we celebrate the second coming of Christ," Nawarskas said. "The readings are always pointing to the coming of Christ."

Another tradition of Advent is a prayer calendar. Each day, or week, a prayer is read and a candle lit.

Fasting may not be a way of life for Americans preparing for Christmas, but taking time to reflect can help us focus on the meaning of the season in the midst of the clamor of Christmas shopping.

Father Nawarskas shares this prayer with us for the first week of Advent: "Heavenly Father, as we begin this Advent, give light to our eyes and peace to our hearts. May the Lord find us watching and waiting in joy when he comes."