In Defense of Advent - Matt Carr

I love and appreciate my Presbyterian brothers and sisters who have strong convictions against special occasions for remembering and observing the great works of God, as the historic Christian Church and the Continental Reformed expressions thereof have observed for centuries – Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, Ascension, and Pentecost. I respect their position and I do not charge them with legalism or the kind of idolatry that religiously prohibits and judges others over an observance, as described in Colossians 2:16 (which demonstrates a conscience-binding parallel to those who religiously require them). Yet, there is certainly danger of that. As some of their number do charge those who participate with conscience-binding idolatry, I feel the need to respond, briefly, in defense of Advent (and like celebrations) by Presbyterian and Reformed Churches. 

First, we must consider the Regulative Principle of Worship(RPW). If the observance of special occasions by the Church is indeed prohibited by this foundational Reformed principle, then we should do away with them immediately. As stated beautifully by our own Westminster Confession, 

“… the acceptable way of worshipping the true God is instituted by himself, and so limited to his own revealed will, that he may not be worshipped according to the imaginations and devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representations or any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scripture.” 

The RPW is vital to the integrity of our worship of God, and I am so thankful for the clarity with which our Standards speak. And not only do they speak clearly, but directly to that which is governed by the Word: to Whom our worship is to be directed, what elements are to be included, what day it is to be held. Elements not commanded positively by God are not to be included in the public worship of His people. Our worship must regularly include a call to worship, prayer, the reading, preaching, and hearing of the Scriptures, psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, sacraments, and benedictions. They may also include tithes and offerings, confessions, oaths and vows, fastings, thanksgivings, and, as the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church’s Directory for Public Worship expresses, the observance of special occasions: 

“From ancient times the people of God have appointed special occasions for remembering and observing the great works of God, and for calling upon God in times of special need. Through the ages the Church has also appointed special days for remembering and rejoicing in the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ;His death, resurrection, and ascension; and the sending of the Holy Spirit. There may also be days recommended for recalling the heritage of the Church, proclaiming its mission, and forwarding its work. All of these may be observed in the public worship of God on the Lord’s Day.”

Many of the things our churches may do during Advent to remember and rejoice in the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ are simply not inconsistent with the RPW or the Westminster Standards. With regard to elements (moral obligations) of worship, we find the reading, preaching, and hearing of the Scriptures (there is no biblical or Reformed prohibition against focusing on the incarnation of Christ in December) and the singing of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (again, the content of these is governed by their biblical fidelity, not by their focus), along with the other rightful elements. 

With regard to the circumstances of worship, a sanctuary may be decorated differently (perhaps with the relatively modern accoutrements of wreaths or trees), but this no more binds the conscience of the believer than the color of the carpet, the time of the service, or the use of sound amplification. Special services of music (cantatas without preaching) or celebration may be held in addition to (not displacement of) regular Lord’s Day worship, where they are clearly not substituting for, or posing as, that gathering. We must be careful not to add elements to our worship that are not commanded in Scripture, which is why such things as announcements ought to be placed prior to the call to worship each week – so there is no confusion over whether these are elements of worship. The same may be applied in the special seasons our Constitution approves. 

We must reject a pragmatic approach that says we must include an observation of Advent and Christmas because people are expecting it. We must also reject a reactive approach that condemns circumstantial adiaphora on the basis of religious tradition rather than God’s Word. Further, we must reject any making of “holy days” that supersede the Lord’s Day. The Lord’s Day is instituted by God and cannot be encroached upon by human-conceived celebrations. The year 2022 is a great opportunity to remind our congregations of this, as we gather the people for public worship on the Lord’s Day, December 25. 

I readily admit that my position is out of step with the Puritan strain of the Reformed tradition, which does not recognize the right to remember and rejoice on special days, but only on the Lord’s Day. I reiterate my respect and admiration for these forefathers, and I disagree with them only with great trepidation. I agree with my brother Rev. Benjamin Glaser when he writes, “Tradition without Christ’s warrant is idolatry.” And I would gently warn all of us, on both sides of this issue, that where Tradition (old paths or new) oversteps the Word of God either in commendation or restriction, and where this sharpens our spirits or words against our brothers and sisters, we must repent and leave consciences free. 

“Moreover, if in Christian liberty the churches religiously celebrate the memory of the Lord's nativity, circumcision, passion, resurrection, and of his ascension into heaven, and the sending of the Holy Spirit upon his disciples, we approve of it highly.” 2nd Helvetic Confession 24