It’s a chilly, winter morning in Anchorage but many worshippers will be observing the 3rd Sunday of Advent. Last Sunday, a blustery, stormy day, found me visiting several mid-Hillside churches. Trinity Presbyterian was first on my list as I was curious about their “big announcement”.
Leaving Trinity early, I moved on to Amazing Grace Lutheran about a mile away where I treated to a meaningful worship service as they have proved on multiple previous visits.[img_assist|nid=159012|title=Third Advent Wreath|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=350|height=222]
Today marks 3rd Advent Sunday and the theme is Joy.
Per the Revised Common Lectionary, the texts for today are:
First reading – Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Psalm – Psalm 126
Second reading – Luke 1:46b-55
Gospel – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
The Advent wreath’s candles will once again be lit in observing churches; first the Hope candle, then last week’s Peace candle, and finally today’s Joy candle. The Joy candle is often a pink candle, but some traditions use the blue or purple candle instead. If you go to a vestment-wearing church, they also tend to change to pink accents instead of the normal blue or purple ones.
As always, I urge readers to enjoy this day, looking for new traditions and meaning in the Advent season. Sometimes you will discover, as I have, attending a different church will lend a new perspective on this beautiful season of the year. I often attend several services on this day to drink it all in. If you find a meaningful perspective on Advent, please let me know at churchvisits@gmail.com or by posting a comment on this blog.