I came late to the idea of the Advent wreath. The church I went to when I was young had no wreath and very few candles over Advent. Like Lent, everything was kept very sombre till the days immediately before Christmas. I discovered Advent wreaths with joy. I love having red candles amongst the greenery and the excitement of every week when gradually the candles get lit as a tangible countdown to Christmas. And the drama of that moment when the white candle in the middle is lit is literally awesome!
There are several ways to interpret the Advent Ring. I prefer People/Prophet/ John /Mary but some would have Patriarchs instead of People. One version is Love, Joy, Faith, Peace – the way you look at it depends on your own view in your own personal devotions.
Getting the balance of Advent is hard. It’s meant to be a time of repentance and preparation – with an emphasis on our personal spiritual preparation rather than endless present shopping and making sure the food is all ready for the feasting. In the flurry of preparation, the endless glitter and colour and noise we get surrounded with, it is easy to forget to take time to nurture our relationship with our Father in Heaven and to wallow in the beauty of his love.
This year, ironically, may be the year when we have time to consider and pray; a year when the Advent Ring may become an aid to meditation, with each candle pointing us to a focus for prayer and rejoicing. Romans 8:28 tells us that “…God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Let’s claim this verse for ourselves this year and determine to make this the Advent when we really feel prepared for the joy of welcoming the Son of God.
Prayer: Father God, this Advent open our ears to your voice and our eyes to your beauty in a special way. Guide us as we pray. Make us aware of where we have failed you in the past and in the name of Jesus forgive us and give us assuranceof your forgiveness. Through the Holy Spirit show us the way ahead and in your power give us the grace to follow the path you set before us Things seem dark and obscure at the moment, but may this Advent being a time of making your light clear to us and through us to the community around us. In Jesus name. Amen.