Aurora church opens Advent season with candle lighting
Aurora Advent Christian Church opened the Advent season, 40 days leading up to Christmas, with lighting of an Advent wreath candle Sunday, Nov. 29.
Pauline and Homer Easley of Aurora, church congregants, lighted a candle symbolizing hope. On coming Sundays, other church members will light candles representing peace, joy and love. Volunteers will deliver free wreaths to congregants who request them for in-home celebrations.
The Rev. Matt Mull, church senior pastor, opened a four-Sunday sermon series on "The Questions of Christmas."
The public is invited to join online or attend in-person, with masks and social distancing, at 10 a.m. Sundays at 905 N. Edgelawn Drive in Aurora. Admission and parking are free.
Rev. Mull said, "Join us Sundays for favorite carols and to explore how Christmas answers our deepest questions."
His sermon schedule will be: "How Can This Be?" on Dec. 6; "Why Me?" on Dec. 13; and "What Will This Child Become?" Dec. 20.
According to Rev. Mull, a Christmas Eve candlelight service is planned.
Call (630) 896-1963, email ACoffice@AuroraAdvent.org or visit AuroraAdvent.org for more information.
Advent was developed as a season of the church year in the late fourth century. It was widely practiced across Christian churches worldwide by the sixth century.
Advent means "coming" or "arrival." The focus of Advent is on Christian life now in light of the culmination of all things at Christ's second coming.
Similar to Lent, Advent developed as a penitential season of varying lengths. By the eighth century, Advent was generally observed for six weeks in the East (as it is to this day) and seven in the West. By the 12th century, it became shortened in the West to four weeks.
Call (630) 896-1963, email ACoffice@AuroraAdvent.org or visit AuroraAdvent.org for more information.