Lent is a time for theological patience, as the Church reviews herself, looks deep within herself and seeks, with God's help, to purify herself in preparation for Easter.
In order that there is no distraction from this task, lenten churches have traditionally been cleared of occasional decoration.
This also allows us to anticipate with greater keeness and awareness the joyfullness of resurrection, wherever it may be found
ADVENT is a time of holding - holding onto the present whilst anticipating the future. Traditionally, as with the season of LENT, churches are not decorated during ADVENT to reflect the theological sobriety of the season.
However, this can be difficult to adhere to as the modern practice of celebrating Chritmas in the period leading up to Christmas Day rather than after it takes hold.
The Church does well when it holds in tension conservative traditions and contemporary expectations - so a moderate and subtle decoration of liturgical spaces is certainly encouraged, in anticipation of the great feast of CHRISTMAS.
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