The Advent Wreath
The Candle of Hope (Prophet’s Candle)
The Advent wreath and candles are a deeply symbolic part of the journey to Christmas in many homes and churches. The lighting of an Advent wreath appeared as a Christian ritual somewhere in the fourth or fifth centuries. One story posits that a Lutheran minister in Germany created a wreath out of a cartwheel to help children count down the days until Christmas. He used 20 red candles for weekdays and four white candles for Sundays.
Whatever its origin, the Advent wreath:
- is made of evergreen branches, symbolising life,
- is circular, capturing the unending love of God.
- has holly leaves, suggestive of Jesus’ crown of thorns,
- includes red berries pointing to Jesus’ death on the cross.
As we pray during Advent, let us hold the consolations of God close to the exiled places of our hearts. God offers us light, consolation and comfort for our homelessness. Advent is a time of homecoming, a time of joy and enthusiasm, as we hear again God’s promises to be with us and to resettle us in love (Rupp, 2007, 189)
God of new beginnings,
As we approach this Advent season,
empower us to journey
with hope, peace, joy, and love
toward the celebration of the birth of Jesus.
May the candles we light
throughout this season
reflect our inner search
for connection and encounter
and our outer call
to be bearers of
your love to our world.
Amen.
Reflection:
How can your ministry create a homecoming experience during Advent, offering light and comfort to those in need?
Come back to me with all your heart
(Hosea 14 1-2).
