The Advent Wreath

The presence of the Advent Candles emphasizes the positive over the negative. St Paul in a reading we share during Mass today encourages us out-rightly to cast off deeds of darkness, and put on the armor of light. This light is accentuated by candles, which in our liturgy are very prominent. From the Paschal candle, to the candles on the altar, those carried by altar-servers, those votive ones lit by parishioners as a form of prayer, candles emphasize light over darkness. And remember that it’s better to lo light one candle than to curse the darkness. And also you don’t have to blow someone’s candle out to make yours look brighter. 
The custom of the Advent candles goes back to the Scandinavian countries who have very long winters, with very little sunshine. So farmers bring in their farm carts, and some of them started to decorate them with bows and greens, and eventually candles. The church took the idea and developed the Advent Wreath with 4 candles with a particular theme for each Sunday: Watch, Stay Awake, on the first Sunday, Prepare the way of the Lord next week, Rejoice on the third Sunday, using the rose-colored vestments, and Behold for the Sunday before Christmas. Some churches even add a white one for Christmas and the theme Celebrate.
This year, let’s make it a point to really try hard to MAKE ROOM FOR JESUS in our hearts. To make room for Him, we have to get rid of all the stuff that’s been taking his place. This requires a little bit of an inventory of our hearts and lives.
So may we look at enemies and see the possibility of friendship . . .
May we look at fevered buying and see hope for simple generosity . . . . .
May we look at family tensions and see opportunities for reconciliation . . . . .
May we look at pessimism towards the future and see positive optimism . . . .
May we look at stumbling blocks and see instead stepping stones . . . . .
May we look at alleys and valleys of darkness and see instead Highways and byways of bright possibilities . . .
May we look at tragedy and misfortune and see the hope of change, growth and a new beginning . . ..
May we look at discouragement and see a determined and courageous approach to a hopeful future . .
Happy New Year!