Comments on: An LDS Observance of Advent http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/12/an-lds-observance-of-advent/ Truth Will Prevail Sun, 12 Feb 2012 06:09:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Eric Huntsman http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/12/an-lds-observance-of-advent/#comment-305000 Eric Huntsman Thu, 24 Dec 2009 20:34:02 +0000 http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/12/an-lds-observance-of-advent/#comment-305000 James, a good and happy Christmas to you too! I concur with Julie that what you are doing is wonderful. I understand those who do not want to do things outside of the family also, but my inclination is to SOME kind of community worship. One of my favorite Christmases occurred a few years ago when Christmas Eve fell on a Sunday. We have, in years past, over-scheduled Christmas Eve Day. There was an extended family gathering to watch the Nutcracker in SLC followed by lunch after the ballet. Then rushed home for all of our immediate family's Christmas Eve traditions. Lots of prep and work in between those activities. When Christmas Eve fell on a Sunday, all the prep "work" needed to be done by Saturday. We went to ballet early. On Sunday, we only had sacrament meeting, and it was a wonderful Christmas program. We came home and spent the entire day as the Sabbath, but a Sabbath that was characterized by family warmth, Sunday-style Christmas music, and ad hoc visits from and to friends. That evening Christmas Eve was more focused on Christ than ever. James, a good and happy Christmas to you too! I concur with Julie that what you are doing is wonderful. I understand those who do not want to do things outside of the family also, but my inclination is to SOME kind of community worship.

One of my favorite Christmases occurred a few years ago when Christmas Eve fell on a Sunday. We have, in years past, over-scheduled Christmas Eve Day. There was an extended family gathering to watch the Nutcracker in SLC followed by lunch after the ballet. Then rushed home for all of our immediate family’s Christmas Eve traditions. Lots of prep and work in between those activities.

When Christmas Eve fell on a Sunday, all the prep “work” needed to be done by Saturday. We went to ballet early. On Sunday, we only had sacrament meeting, and it was a wonderful Christmas program. We came home and spent the entire day as the Sabbath, but a Sabbath that was characterized by family warmth, Sunday-style Christmas music, and ad hoc visits from and to friends. That evening Christmas Eve was more focused on Christ than ever.

]]> By: James http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/12/an-lds-observance-of-advent/#comment-304999 James Thu, 24 Dec 2009 20:01:34 +0000 http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/12/an-lds-observance-of-advent/#comment-304999 Thank you Julie- Happy Christmas! Carols and scriptures are all we manage. But they're enough. Happy Christmas Thank you Julie- Happy Christmas! Carols and scriptures are all we manage. But they’re enough.

Happy Christmas

]]> By: Julie M. Smith http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/12/an-lds-observance-of-advent/#comment-304994 Julie M. Smith Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:33:52 +0000 http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/12/an-lds-observance-of-advent/#comment-304994 James, thanks for sharing that. It sounds like a lovely tradition that meets everyone's needs, including the need of the bishopric not to have to plan something major. As a parent of youngish children, the idea of singing at church would be pleasant--45 minutes of talks geared to adults, maybe not so much! James, thanks for sharing that. It sounds like a lovely tradition that meets everyone’s needs, including the need of the bishopric not to have to plan something major. As a parent of youngish children, the idea of singing at church would be pleasant–45 minutes of talks geared to adults, maybe not so much!

]]> By: James http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/12/an-lds-observance-of-advent/#comment-304992 James Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:13:09 +0000 http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/12/an-lds-observance-of-advent/#comment-304992 As this is my first post I am slightly tentative- especially as I am going to disagree with some of what has been said. I live in England and have been a member of the Church since I was 15 (over 20 years ago) and have always attended a 45 minute carol service at Church on Christmas morning. As a teenager, adult and father I always this opportunity to bring Christ into our Christmas. As a Bishop it was never onerous to organise it- I think there would be a big hoo ha if anybody tried to do away with our Christmas Day Service- it is also the best attended meeting of the year- we usually get between 80-100 at sacrament but upto 130 at Christmas. It will then hopefully lead on to these people attending on a Sunday. It's not that we want to look like other Churches- just take the opportunity to worship the Saviour communally on Christmas. If you hear my singing you would understand why my family prefer to sing carols at Church with others than at home with me (though they have to do that on Christmas Eve before they go to bed). As this is my first post I am slightly tentative- especially as I am going to disagree with some of what has been said. I live in England and have been a member of the Church since I was 15 (over 20 years ago) and have always attended a 45 minute carol service at Church on Christmas morning. As a teenager, adult and father I always this opportunity to bring Christ into our Christmas. As a Bishop it was never onerous to organise it- I think there would be a big hoo ha if anybody tried to do away with our Christmas Day Service- it is also the best attended meeting of the year- we usually get between 80-100 at sacrament but upto 130 at Christmas. It will then hopefully lead on to these people attending on a Sunday.

It’s not that we want to look like other Churches- just take the opportunity to worship the Saviour communally on Christmas. If you hear my singing you would understand why my family prefer to sing carols at Church with others than at home with me (though they have to do that on Christmas Eve before they go to bed).

]]> By: Raymond Takashi Swenson http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/12/an-lds-observance-of-advent/#comment-304855 Raymond Takashi Swenson Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:43:44 +0000 http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/12/an-lds-observance-of-advent/#comment-304855 I am reminded of the Thirteenth Article of Faith. Clearly, for Bro. Huntsman, the Advent tradition they have adopted and adapted in his family has been virtuous and praiseworthy. I know of all sorts of LDS families who have adopted various family Christmas traditions that they feel bring them closer to the Savior and teach their children to focus more on righteous living and faith in the fulfillment of God's promises. One family we knew in the Air Force made a point of acting as a "Secret Santa" for some family with special needs. We learned about it because they bought our portable dishwasher from us and enlisted me to help them secretly deliver it to the doorstep of the family they learned had need of it. There are a lot of independent musical groups that Church members participate in and which perform special programs during the Christmas season. One year I participated in the Messiah concert at the Oakland Regional Center next to the temple. When I was there (early 1990s) the Messiah concert alternated with a pageant about the life of Christ, and both involved a lot of people in production and thousands more as audience members. When our kids were in high school, band and choir and handbell performances were frequent in December, including one where our daughter's handbell choir performed with the Tabernacle Choir at the Christmas concert. Somehow the courts have decided to allow public school music programs to continue to embrace the tradition of Christmas music, even as they have been doggedly secularizing graduation ceremonies and everything else. In my Japanese family, we observe the New Year's feast whenever my Mom is feeling up to it, eating Japanese foods like mochi (rice cakes that start out like hockey pucks and turn into a gluey mass when cooked). Because of the Tabernacle Choir's weekly broadcasts, and the special Christmas concerts on PBS, millions of families across the US have made it part of their Christmas celebrations. Do you think any of them hesitate to turn on the program, thinking that it's "Sort of Mormon"? Obviously, the Christmas season is one of those opportunities for us to "put our money where our mouth is" and act like the Christians we claim to be. Our ward here in eastern Washington gathers food for a Salvation Army center at Christmas. Other wards I have been in have helped serve Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners at community centers alongside people of other faiths. I am reminded of the Thirteenth Article of Faith. Clearly, for Bro. Huntsman, the Advent tradition they have adopted and adapted in his family has been virtuous and praiseworthy. I know of all sorts of LDS families who have adopted various family Christmas traditions that they feel bring them closer to the Savior and teach their children to focus more on righteous living and faith in the fulfillment of God’s promises.

One family we knew in the Air Force made a point of acting as a “Secret Santa” for some family with special needs. We learned about it because they bought our portable dishwasher from us and enlisted me to help them secretly deliver it to the doorstep of the family they learned had need of it.

There are a lot of independent musical groups that Church members participate in and which perform special programs during the Christmas season.

One year I participated in the Messiah concert at the Oakland Regional Center next to the temple. When I was there (early 1990s) the Messiah concert alternated with a pageant about the life of Christ, and both involved a lot of people in production and thousands more as audience members.

When our kids were in high school, band and choir and handbell performances were frequent in December, including one where our daughter’s handbell choir performed with the Tabernacle Choir at the Christmas concert. Somehow the courts have decided to allow public school music programs to continue to embrace the tradition of Christmas music, even as they have been doggedly secularizing graduation ceremonies and everything else.

In my Japanese family, we observe the New Year’s feast whenever my Mom is feeling up to it, eating Japanese foods like mochi (rice cakes that start out like hockey pucks and turn into a gluey mass when cooked).

Because of the Tabernacle Choir’s weekly broadcasts, and the special Christmas concerts on PBS, millions of families across the US have made it part of their Christmas celebrations. Do you think any of them hesitate to turn on the program, thinking that it’s “Sort of Mormon”?

Obviously, the Christmas season is one of those opportunities for us to “put our money where our mouth is” and act like the Christians we claim to be. Our ward here in eastern Washington gathers food for a Salvation Army center at Christmas. Other wards I have been in have helped serve Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners at community centers alongside people of other faiths.

]]> By: Alex T. Valencic http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/12/an-lds-observance-of-advent/#comment-304802 Alex T. Valencic Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:36:07 +0000 http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/12/an-lds-observance-of-advent/#comment-304802 Just thought I'd share that I used some of the passages from the Fourth Sunday of Advent in my spiritual thought in Bishopric meeting this morning, and it was quite well received. Definitely going to push to adopt this tradition next year. Just thought I’d share that I used some of the passages from the Fourth Sunday of Advent in my spiritual thought in Bishopric meeting this morning, and it was quite well received. Definitely going to push to adopt this tradition next year.

]]> By: kik~ http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/12/an-lds-observance-of-advent/#comment-304783 kik~ Sun, 20 Dec 2009 10:43:52 +0000 http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/12/an-lds-observance-of-advent/#comment-304783 Eric, I also remember your first Christmas in your first house as a married couple...and the Christmas tradition advice you gave to Robb and Maria ;0 Do you? Eric,
I also remember your first Christmas in your first house as a married couple…and the Christmas tradition advice you gave to Robb and Maria ;0 Do you?

]]> By: Velska http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/12/an-lds-observance-of-advent/#comment-304765 Velska Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:02:05 +0000 http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/12/an-lds-observance-of-advent/#comment-304765 About meeting on Christmas day: do we need to look like other churches? About meeting on Christmas day: do we need to look like other churches?

]]> By: Velska http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/12/an-lds-observance-of-advent/#comment-304764 Velska Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:01:09 +0000 http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/12/an-lds-observance-of-advent/#comment-304764 Well, the Advent has a more "religious" ring to it than Santa Claus. That's why people react differently. For me, the Advent is just a part of the false traditions of my fathers that I decided to let go of. We told our kids, when they asked about Santa, that he's a fairy tale like Sleeping Beauty, and we just haven't thought we needed to "observe" that tradition. We dumped most of our parents' traditions, like the drunken brawls that I had in my home growing up. We just didn't want to be reminded of childhood... Our kids seem fairly balanced despite all the baggage. Well, the Advent has a more “religious” ring to it than Santa Claus. That’s why people react differently.

For me, the Advent is just a part of the false traditions of my fathers that I decided to let go of. We told our kids, when they asked about Santa, that he’s a fairy tale like Sleeping Beauty, and we just haven’t thought we needed to “observe” that tradition.

We dumped most of our parents’ traditions, like the drunken brawls that I had in my home growing up. We just didn’t want to be reminded of childhood… Our kids seem fairly balanced despite all the baggage.

]]> By: Jones http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/12/an-lds-observance-of-advent/#comment-304758 Jones Sat, 19 Dec 2009 22:07:19 +0000 http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2009/12/an-lds-observance-of-advent/#comment-304758 For years it bothered me that the church did not meet on Christmas Day. It seemed all Christian churches did. But after years of worrying, contemplating, even praying about it, I realized that there has never been any revelation to the church about Christmas Day church services. And we are a church based on modern revelation. The realization for me was that our consistent Sabbath Day observance is more important than a one day -- it isn't even the correct time of year -- meeting observing the birth of Christ. It isn't that Christmas isn't important -- but it is the SABBATH that is important. While I am sure the First Presidency has had revelatory confirmation that a Christmas Devotional is appropriate and good for the Church, Christmas Day services has not been included in the divine guidance on what His church should do. Because I'm single and live far from family my tradition is to invite other individuals without family to my home for Christmas Eve. We always do a potluck meal and then sing carols and talk Christmas memories. It has always been a wonderful experience. I've also chosen to attend Christmas Eve services at a variety of different churches over the years -- I especially like the candlelight services. I highly recommend this to those who think they might enjoy it. I appreciate Eric's Christ-centered activities and scriptures to help me/us develop traditions that help keep Christ in Christmas. Thanks Eric! For years it bothered me that the church did not meet on Christmas Day. It seemed all Christian churches did. But after years of worrying, contemplating, even praying about it, I realized that there has never been any revelation to the church about Christmas Day church services. And we are a church based on modern revelation. The realization for me was that our consistent Sabbath Day observance is more important than a one day — it isn’t even the correct time of year — meeting observing the birth of Christ. It isn’t that Christmas isn’t important — but it is the SABBATH that is important. While I am sure the First Presidency has had revelatory confirmation that a Christmas Devotional is appropriate and good for the Church, Christmas Day services has not been included in the divine guidance on what His church should do.

Because I’m single and live far from family my tradition is to invite other individuals without family to my home for Christmas Eve. We always do a potluck meal and then sing carols and talk Christmas memories. It has always been a wonderful experience. I’ve also chosen to attend Christmas Eve services at a variety of different churches over the years — I especially like the candlelight services. I highly recommend this to those who think they might enjoy it.

I appreciate Eric’s Christ-centered activities and scriptures to help me/us develop traditions that help keep Christ in Christmas. Thanks Eric!

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