Some traditions are temporary—like a quarter of a century. This one lasted 27 years. I am referring to the reading of Advent Poems at Bethlehem during Sunday Morning worship. I read the first one in 1982. Then I wrote four each year for about 23 years. Then, for about three years, I wrote three new ones, and read one recycled poem. Then last year, I wrote none, and I read only old poems.
This year we will replace the Advent Poems with Advent Scriptures. They will lead into the lighting of the Advent Candles. The growing brightness of one new candle each Sunday signifies the approach of the Light of the world. The Scriptures point forward to him...