ADVENT AT THE CATHEDRAL
The first season of the church year, beginning with the fourth Sunday before Christmas and continuing through the day before Christmas. The name is derived from a Latin word for "coming." The season is a time of preparation and expectation for the coming celebration of our Lord's nativity, and for the final coming of Christ "in power and glory."
Advent at the Cathedral
Advent begins on Sunday, November 27.
Unlike our culture that promotes the days leading up to Christmas as a time of spending, acquiring, cooking, partying and decorating, the season of Advent is a rich time of expectation. It is a time when we anticipate the incarnation--how God chooses to be present among us. The season’s biblical readings focus on the end time and on God’s promises for the people of Israel and the church of Christ.” {A Dictionary for Episcopalians by John N. Wall; Cowley Publications} Advent is a liminal time. It is also the beginning of the liturgical year.
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At Christ Church Cathedral, our observance includes not only the traditional music and readings appointed for the season of Advent during our regular worship, but the special offerings listed below. But Advent is not about doing things--it may be that this season is a time for you to do less. Take advantage of any of the following offerings, as you wish, but keep in mind that adding more to your to-do list is not the point! As with everything at Christ Church Cathedral, our Advent observances and offerings are open to all, regardless of whether you are an "official member" of this parish.
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To view the designations from last year click here.
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ADVENT MEDITATIONS
AdventWord is an inspirational online Advent calendar from Forward Movement. The meditations help deepen our understanding of the coming of Jesus into the world through the practices of shared meditation and prayer. To join this community of prayer this Advent Season sign up for emails.
2022 Journeying the Way of Love: Advent Calendar
2022 Journeying the Way of Love Advent calendar offers daily suggestions for engaging in the seven practices that encompass the Way of Love: Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, and Rest.
D365 is a daily devotion written for youth and adults. The devotions are for every day of the year, but Advent will be highlighted in a series entitled Following the Star. The series begins on November 27 and continues through the beginning of January. You may go to d365.org daily to use the meditation, or you may download the d365 app.
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ADVENT KITS
Beginning Sunday, November 13 Advent Kits for all of the young families in the Cathedral Family will be available on the table in the Chapter House.
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LESSONS AND CAROLS
Sunday, December 11
4 pm
Rebekah Atkinson, Guest Artist
A traditional service of choral works and congregational singing, our Advent Lessons Carols Service is not to be missed. Presented by our Cathedral Choir and harpist Rebekah Atkinson, Benjamin Britten’s “Ceremony of Carols” serves as the centerpiece of this service.
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AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS
Friday, December 16th, 2022 at 7pm
Sunday , December 18th, 2022 at 4pm
Classical Ballet of Mobile, Featured Artists
Commissioned by NBC in 1951, “Amahl and the Night Visitors” is the first opera ever written for television. Its composer, Gian Carlo Menotti, drew inspiration from Hieronymus Bosch’s “The Adoration of the Magi,” which is displayed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL
CHRISTMAS OFFERING
ADVENT
Advent means 'Coming' in Latin. This is the coming of Jesus into the world. Christians use the four Sundays and weeks of Advent to prepare and remember the real meaning of Christmas.
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There are five candles on an Advent wreath. Four of the candles represent the four weeks of Advent, and one candle is lit each Sunday. The fifth is the white candle which is lit on Christmas Eve.