Welcoming Advent: Aurora church kicks off holiday season with hanging of greens

Garlands, a giant wreath, and artificial yule trees decorated Wesley United Methodist Church in Aurora on Sunday, Nov. 19, during a Hanging of the Greens celebration.

A half dozen congregants decorated the church's interior after a 10:30 a.m. worship service.

A time of preparation and centering in the church parlor was scheduled before decorating took place.

Lead Pastor Tammy Scott said in advance, "Everyone is invited and encouraged to stay and help us deck the halls of Wesley UMC. Next Sunday (Nov. 26) we will enter the season of Advent, when we prepare our hearts, minds and spirits to celebrate once again the birth of Jesus."

The public is invited to Sunday worship services at 10:30 a.m. in person or online at 9:30 a.m. at wesleyumcaurora.online.church.

Admission and parking are free.

Call (630) 896-1033 or visit wesleyumcaurora.org for more information.

Hanging of the greens practices started in Europe in the Late Middle Ages, when artificial greenery did not exist. Evergreens in the sanctuary were a symbol of the eternal coming to dwell among us as Word made flesh. They were also a sign of life and growth overcoming and flourishing in the midst of the dead of winter, and so of the resurrection of Christ. Over time, additional and more specific attributes were given to specific evergreens that might be included, as in the carol, "The Holly and the Ivy."