Advent

Yes, I use the Lectionary for some readings, but develop my own sermons more on the topics hope, peace, joy and love then being tied to any one scripture

 

Isn't Christmas the celebration of the first advent?
MB

 

Of course, what Baptist doesn't celebrate it? I preach on the four topics.. Hope, Joy, Peach, and Love... (although I never remember which comes after which!...lol).. then Christmas eve.. we light the Christ Candle.. and I preach that sermon...

Also, we have a Chrismon tree, and possibly this year we will be celebrating the hanging of the Greens...

Don't all Baptists do these things?

 

No thanks. I've no need to make religion out of rites and rituals.

No, all Baptists do not do these things. Most Baptists do not do these things.

Are you breaking out your "Book of Common Prayer" also? :BangHead:

 

No we don't. We do praise God for sending His Son into the world to save sinners (His first advent/coming), and we look forward to His glorious Second Coming, but we don't restrict such things to the four weeks leading up to Christmas.

And where if we "celebrated" those four weeks, where would we draw the line? if Advent, why not Epiphany, Septuagesima, Sexagesima, Quinquagesima, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Palm Sunday, Holy Saturday, Ascension Day, Whitsun, Trinity Sunday, Holy Innocents Day, Ember Days, Lent, Rogation Days?

 

What a provocative question? What does a tree & candles have to do with Christ & the gift of Life HE gives to us by HIS dieing on the cross? I will tell you that I do enjoy the season & the stuff you've mentioned but we must contemplate the "True Reason for The Season". Not pagan expressions. Being Baptist makes it all the more important that we recognize the differences.

 

Let me just take out my Catholic calendar! Heaven forbid:laugh:

 

1). Every time we meet.
2). The word of God.



Christmas Day in particluar? Well, not unless it comes on the Lord's Day.
Otherwise we celebrate at home.

HankD

 

But why? Such a four week celebration is not even hinted at in Scripture.

 

Of course, but some are offended by what they perceive as some Advent observances as being too "Catholic".

I don't. Perhaps because I was born into a Catholic family and some of my most cherished family memories are of Christmas time.

HankD

 

Matt Wade, you don't have a copy of the Book of Common Prayer?

heathen!

:laugh: (sarcasm noted right?)

Now seriously, I'm going to have to start a thread about this....but not here, cause it's off topic.

 

Let's see, Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Palm Sunday, Easter, Maundy Thursday, (Holy week in general), Pentecost and Trinity Sunday are all acknowledged our Baptist church. I for one enjoy the connection with the catholic (intentionally provocative) church associated with remembering these days.

 

Alternate thread begun here:

http://www.baptistboard.com/showthread.php?p=1750801#post1750801

 

“When the devil gets influence in a church, up go candles and down goes preaching.” —English Reformer Bishop Hugh Latimer

 

For many many years John Piper penned these epic Advent poems (titles such as "Paul Malach and Talitha", and "The Cyrenian Cycle: Rufina") for recitation during worship. Several years ago Piper announced that his church would have to be content with just Scripture.

Scripture? In place of "The Cyrenian Cycle: Rufina"???

Imagine that!

A Chapter Closes in Advent at Bethlehem

 

Advent poems? Is that something like Christmas musicals?

:laugh:

Really, all these things can be helpful. We shouldn't refuse them just because they don't suit *us*. We should use our minds, that God gave us, to find a way to worship and remember in ways that do suit us. (normative philosophy )