It's the First Sunday of Advent once again, that season that has changed--liturgically speaking--from the days when I was a kid. In those days, the color was purple; the mood was penitential; there were no flowers; we did not sing "alleluia." It was, in effect, a mini-Lent.
That has changed since Vatican II. Advent is now a time of hope and anticipation. The color is blue. Our look is to the return of our Lord at the end of time. And, if we happen to make it to December 24/25, we'll again celebrate the anniversary of our Lord's first coming in the flesh at Bethlehem.
Advent has changed a great deal for me since we arrived in Chicago in 1976. Sometime in the early 80s, I happened to see an announcement for Advent Vespers at the Cathedral of the Holy Name (aka "Holy Name Cathedral") at State and Superior Streets in Chicago. What caught my eye was the fact that Vespers was to be sung with the use of Gregorian chant. That intrigued my wife and me. Though we attended on a Sunday late afternoon in 1983 (probably for the first time; it's the earliest service folder I have in my file), we didn't start participating in Advent Vespers until about 1990.
Since that time, Advent Vespers has become a "must" part of our Advent devotional life. With the exception of Choir anthems, there is little difference in the service from year to year. We know our parts pretty much by heart. But, it's the quiet time we spend at prayer, in the surroundings of a magnificent cathedral, that becomes a refuge from the busyness of the world's preparations for "their" celebration of Christmass.
And so, this afternoon at 3:30 we were in our "usual" pew in the cathedral for the half-hour organ concert that precedes Vespers. Then, shortly after 4 pm, we heard the handbell announce the tone for the solo voice to sing the O Antiphon for Advent I, O Sapientia... "O Wisdom, you came forth from the mouth of the Most High, and reach from one end of the earth to another; mightily and sweetly ordering all things: come and teach us the way of prudence."
And then the Gallican Chant, "Alleluia! I look from afar. I see the power of God coming and a cloud covering the whole earth. Alleluia"
Once more, I am taken beyond myself into the awesome presence of the One on whom we wait, even our Lord Jesus Christ.
A wonderful evening at prayer. If you're in the Chicago area, you might want to come and see and share in the wonderful opportunity. Each Advent Sunday ... Organ concert at 3:30 ... Advent Vespers at 4:00.
