Seven-Week Advent

by Rev. Wesley Thompson

On November 9, 2025, we started Advent. Yes, this is a little different than the typical 4-week Advent. The 7-week Advent is rooted in ancient Christian tradition and is still observed by many Orthodox churches. Expanding Advent gives us more time during this busy season for reflection, anticipation, and spiritual preparation for Christ's birth. Theologically it is about the celebration of the Advent/Christmas/Epiphany season.

Advent is a season of waiting. What are we waiting for? Summed up in one response, we are waiting for the full manifestation of the Reign of God that is the Kingdom of Christ! We wait by celebrating the Birth of Christ, and look forward to the day the Kingdom of God will break through completely. We wait to celebrate the Birth of Jesus. We wait for Christmas. Waiting isn't easy, but it is worth it. It's like waiting for the birth of a child. The song "Closing Time" by Semisonic is not about the nightly last call at a bar. It is not an Advent or Christmas song. It was written by Dan Wilson about anticipation. His wife was pregnant and it was time for her to have the baby. And now you will probably have that songs catchy lyrics stuck in your head for the rest of the day!

We will start this Advent season, wrap up this year, and start a new year. We turn our focus and attention to preparation for the celebration of Christmas. Science tells us we as humans are wired for anticipation, more than getting the thing we are waiting for. Advent is our time of anticipation for the celebration to come. This season is the launch pad for a great celebration of Jesus' coming.

Starting Advent seven weeks from Christmas will help us be more prepared and ready to celebrate Christmas. We need to stop and think, to pause and remember. As time in the world is speeding up, we are slowing down to reflect on the gift of Christ. There are many holidays celebrated during this time of year. In the last weeks of the year, we have Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and others. We also have things like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. We are not taking away from any of them. During this time of frantic activity, Advent helps by taking us to the place our souls need to rest.