What is advent? | Giving | Events | Christmas services | St Philip's Online Advent Calendar

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Advent

Advent, like Lent, is a time for personal and corporate reflection on how we live our faith. In the case of Advent, we are in a season of waiting. Advent waiting is not however simply about the birth of Jesus. During the Advent season, waiting is also thinking ahead to Christ’s future coming. So, the season is sombre, in purple and with fasting and repentance—a reminder that as Jesus came to us once, so just as surely will come again. Advent begins this year on Sunday 30th November.

Advent is also a season of expectation and preparation, as the Church prepares to celebrate the coming (adventus) of Christ in his incarnation, and also looks ahead to his final advent as judge at the end of time. The readings and liturgies not only direct us towards Christ’s birth, they also challenge the us to consider the expectation that Christ will come again, and we will be held accountable.

Advent also invites us to consider the eternal promise of the coming incarnation. That in God, whatever the circumstance, we find comfort and hope!

In this time of watching and waiting, we are invited to make time to reflect and pray for the future of God’s work in this place.

Fasting

The point of fasting is to offer to God the devotion that motivated it. We are encouraged to offer to charity the money saved. The time not spent in preparing and eating can be used for prayer or spiritual reading. A fast can simply be not eating meat or a fuller fast of leaving out a meal or two. For some, it can be a way to build spiritual expectation in the Advent Season.

Confession and Reconciliation

Confession is a spiritual discipline. Individual confession compliments and builds on the general confession that we share in each week. Its personal assurance of God’s continuing love can be a powerful way of addressing spiritual questions.

Charitable Giving Opportunities this Advent and Christmas

At St Philip’s, from the 2nd Sunday of Advent there will be a giving tree at the back of the church. It is a symbolic place to be charitable during Advent and Christmas. Ways to give under the tree this Christmas include:

  1. Donations for St John’s Care
    — pantry staples like UHT milk, pasta sauce, rice, tinned tuna, and cereal. They also need toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, and soap, along with household essentials like dishwashing and laundry liquid. Other requested items include spreads (Vegemite, jam, honey), tinned vegetables, snacks for school lunches, and sometimes, presents for Christmas hampers.
     
  2. Gifts to St Philip’s Mission and Ministry
    St Philip’s is a busy Church, and it takes a lot of resources to support our mission. That means what we offer in the community and the support we provide to the community. We invite you simply to put your gift to St Philip’s in the envelope provided, and place it on our Christmas tree. Or donate online—but leave a note of your gift in an envelope on the tree.
     
  3. Christmas Bowl
    For 76 years, Australians have given to the Christmas Bowl as an act of faith, generosity, and hope. Born in the aftermath of World War II, it began as a simple idea: churches across the country joining together at Christmas to share what they could so that others, far away, could have food, shelter, and safety. You can give via their website at https://christmasbowl.actforpeace.org.au/donate
     

Advent events

Christmas Services