- 02
- Dec
- 2023
The Advent Wreath
As we journey through Advent together, please know this is not an attempt to ascribe, or give credence to, any one teaching or belief or trying to persuade you to a way of belief. It is a sharing in what we were led to do, as personal participation in the season of Advent.
So, let’s make the Advent wreath.
The Advent Wreath: You will need live or artificial greenery in the form of a wreath; a total of 5 candles: 4 candles of the same size, 3 purple and 1 rose; and one white column candle, which is larger than the other 4. You can also choose to use all white candles, tying purple ribbons around three of the candles, and a rose ribbon around the other candle. Set the candles equidistant from each other around the wreath. Place the larger white candle, in the center of the wreath. The center candle is not lit until Christmas Day and is known as the Christ candle. Some do not put a candle in the center, so you can choose whether you do this or not. You can find many instructions on the internet about preparing an Advent wreath, including pictures.
Next, plan a brief ceremony for each night of Advent. Keep it simple, quiet, tender. Remembering that Advent is a time of hope, waiting for the coming. The Oxford English Dictionary gives the definition of “Advent” as ‘The arrival of a notable person or thing’. It stems from the Latin root, Adventus, which means ‘arrival’ through its root from the word advenire whereby ad – ‘to’ and venire – ‘come’.
We always began the ceremony with a song, ‘The Light of The Dove,’ which we received in prayer. But you can plan your ceremony to be as you would have it. Many choose, ‘Come, O Come, Emmanuel.’ After the song, proceed with the lighting of the candle(s), and a reading from The Old Testament, or choose a verse, or sing another song, which is special to you, or your family. After the song and/or reading is complete, blow out the candle(s), and enjoy the peace of night you have created. We chose sunset as the daily time for the lighting of the Advent wreath, but you can select a time which best suits you.
Begin on the first Sunday of Advent (this year it is December 3, 2023) by lighting the first purple candle. Each night of the first week you light the same candle and perform your personal ceremony. Then, on the second Sunday of Advent you light not only the first purple candle but also a second purple candle. Each night of the second week you light the same two candles. On the third Sunday of Advent, you light the two purple candles as well as the rose candle. Each night of the third week you light the same candles. The fourth Sunday of Advent you light the three previous candles and the last purple candle. Each night of the fourth week you light the same candles. On Christmas Day you light all four candles on the wreath and the larger candle in the center of the wreath.
If you wish, this practice can continue, lighting all five candles each night throughout the twelve days of Christmas, until you reach the twelfth day of Christmas, which is celebrated as the Epiphany (the visitation of the Magi).
I am eager to begin this holy season with you and look forward to the lighting of the candles each day. This year I think I will continue to choose sunset as my time of day to have my personal Advent ceremony. With each candle I light I will think of The Light of The World, for we are all meant to be The Light of The World. Thank you for joining me as we make our way through the season of Advent, together.
- 01
- Dec
- 2023
For many years we have posted the messages we receive in morning prayer on our website; and, in recent years, added them to our podcast, as well. It was easy to remain faithful to this quiet mission, as the messages came from God and The Holy Spirit, during morning prayer, every day. The messages led us through times of shadow and darkness, with confidence. They led us in times of absolute joy, singing, and dancing. They led us, and we followed.
My dearest Michael made the passing from the physical/material life, returning Home on Saturday, June 12, 2021. Still our daily times of prayer continued, as his presence was palpable. We continued, just as before, praying, receiving, living in The Light and The Wisdom of The Triune God.
Now, after all these years I am being guided to not only continue with our periods of daily prayer, but to add to that which we have done in the past, by sharing that which we receive, in a more personal way. It is appropriate to begin with the season of Advent, which begins the liturgical year, on Sunday, December 3. 2023. Advent consists of the four Sundays and weekdays leading to the celebration of Christmas. It is a time of preparation for our hearts and minds for the anniversary of the birth of Jesus, which we celebrate on Christmas.
Michael and I participated in the season of Advent with enthusiasm, with singing and prayer. We encouraged retreat guests at The Quiet Place to consider the time of quiet meditation worthy of their attention, to live in the moment of each present day, leading up to the celebration of Spirit made Flesh, to dwell amongst us, The Incarnation of Jesus (incarnation meaning “embodied in flesh or taking on flesh, spirit becoming flesh, spirit dwelling within the physical body.”) We felt great comfort in the Franciscan understanding of Christmas, that The Incarnation was not simply for a moment in the past, but for now— always and forever.
Today, I am inviting you to walk through the season of Advent with me, and to attend to each day, each person we meet along The Way, with honor, simply holding the present, as a candle, to light that which is to come.
So, let us begin, preparing to participate in the season of Advent. Thank you for walking with me.