Aurora church ushers in the season with Advent ceremonies
Submitted by Allan Benson
Hanging of the Greens, a worship service of Christmas lessons, decorating and hymn singing ushered in the Advent season Dec. 1 at Fourth Street United Methodist Church in Aurora.
The Rev. Deborah Tinsley Taylor presided, with layman Roger Spurgin of North Aurora assisting as a second reader.
Congregants placed a window vase, evergreens, poinsettias, a wreath and candles in a candelabra, a Nativity scene on the altar and decorations on a 20-foot-tall Chrismon tree.
“Throughout the centuries,” Rev. Taylor said, “Christians have observed a time of waiting and expectation before celebrating the birth of the savior at Christmas.
“Advent is coming. The Advent season is a time for reflection and preparations, but its mood is joyful. Advent has been enriched by Christmas tradition to reflect its distinctive Christian meaning.
“Advent makes innkeepers out of all of us, asking each of us to make room for the arrival of Christ the king.”
One universal feature of Christmas is the use of evergreen in churches and homes. In ancient Rome, evergreens were an emblem of peace, joy and victory. The early Christians placed them in their windows to indicate that Christ had entered their home.
Holly and ivy, with pine and fir, are called evergreens because they never change color. In the midst of winter, they are ever green, ever alive.
Worshippers came forward to decorate a Chrismon — Christ monograms — tree. Developed in 1957 by a Virginia Lutheran laywoman, the tree featured ornaments that symbolized the life of Jesus.
The word spread, and today churches of all denominations have Chrismon trees. Guidelines include that the trees are green and ornaments are handmade of gold and white colors and crystal.
The poinsettia, native to America, looks like a flaming star. The plant’s namesake, Dr. Joel Poinsett, a U.S. ambassador to Mexico, introduced it to the U.S. in 1828. The multi-point plant has become a symbol of the star of Bethlehem.
The covering of the communion table with cloths of various colors focuses the attention of worshippers on Jesus. In the early days, Advent and Christmas was seen as a somber time and table coverings were purple.
A wreath and candles — four blue and a center white Christ candle — were placed in an Advent candelabra. Layman Ron Simmons of Aurora lit a candle. On each Sunday in Advent, a Fourth Street UMC family will light a candle.
The last placement, a Nativity scene, was added to the altar by laywoman Beth Carter of Aurora. The Nativity speaks of the mystery of God. He reached out to all people, including the poor and the wealthy. The Nativity brings people to Mary and Joseph, with the shepherds and the wise men.
Advent activities continue with worship services at 10 a.m. Sundays, Dec. 15 and 22; a posada procession, hymn sing and refreshments at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15; and a Christmas Eve candlelight service at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24.
Admission is free. Call (630) 897-5257 for more information.