Advent - 2006
Return to Worship and the Arts home page

Week 1 Week 2
Week 3 Week 4
Week 1
In preparation for Advent 2006 the committee followed a process similar to that for Advent 2005. We removed all usual hanging banners from the sanctuary as well as the two potted palms from the chancel; the pulpit parament was changed to Advent blue (replacing the white "Alleluia" banner, depicted in the first photo. The Table was covered by a white table cloth, with a dark blue runner draped over the center. As the season progresses, the runner will gradually lighten, symbolizing the approach of the birth of Christ, the light of world. The narthex entrance to the sanctuary was outlined with garlands of greenery, accented with red and gold bows and ribbons. For the service, the first two O-Antiphon banners were processed into the sanctuary on standards and positioned in the back of the chancel for the service duration. After the 11 am service, both banners were raised on invisible nylon line and elevated in the rear of the chancel.

week one scenes

week one scenes

Week 2

As the anticipation of the season builds, our decoration efforts keep pace. At the Blessing of the Greens service last Sunday evening, the sanctuary tree was decorated with Chrismons (seasonal symbols). This second week of Advent finds the darker runner of week one replaced by (two) lighter blue ones on the Table. Plain wreaths appear on either side of the chancel. The O-Antiphon banners from the previous week are suspended above the chancel, while two new banners are processed into the sanctuary on standards and positioned to the rear of the Table. After the service, these banners will also be elevated in preparation for Advent week three.

Week 3

The season continues to build in anticipation. This third week of Advent finds the light blue runners of week two joined by an even lighter blue one on the Table. Another change is that poinsettias have been added to the other sanctuary decorations. As in week two, the O-Antiphon banners from the previous week are suspended above the chancel, while two new banners are processed into the sanctuary on standards and positioned to the rear of the Table. After the service, these banners will be elevated to join the previous four in preparation for Advent week four.

Week 4

For the fourth Sunday in Advent, the drape on the Table is a single pale blue runner. This continues the transition from dark blue to light blue, with the gradual lightening representing the journey along the path toward the birth of Christ - the light of the world. The final O-antiphon banner is processed into the sanctuary and placed by the pulpit. Due to the shortened Advent season this this year, we removed the Advent decorations immediately following our (single) morning service. The sanctuary was then decorated for Christmas, in readiness for evening services (see Christmas 2006).