The season of Advent has roots that date back to northern Europe in pre Christian times. In the cold dark of winter candles were lit upon an evergreen wreath to mark the time, while each day people eagerly awaited the return of sun’s warming light.

In the 1500’s Christian’s adopted this beautiful custom in anticipation of the birth of the Christ child as a radiant Light of Love sent to help heal our broken world. Advent precedes the Christmas season and begins on the Sunday closest to November 30, the feast day of St. Andrew the Apostle.

The circular shape of the Advent wreath symbolizes a Love that has no end and no beginning. Four candles, (3 purple & one rose colored) set on the Advent wreath signify our hearts' yearning with hope, peace, joy, and love. As we light the candles to reflect and share in prayer we deepen our preparation for the epiphany of the Christmas miracle to come.  Each week an additional candle is lit and a fifth white candle, within the center of the wreath, is lit on Christmas Eve.

The mystery of the Advent season is filled with surprises if we are patient and open to receive the gifts that are all around us. Today I received a blessing from a colleague and dear friend. She stopped by and invited me to join with her in reading today's Advent prayer and  reflection. Afterwards we shared the meaning it held for us as well as connections to how we are living our lives.  In open receptivity Grace transforms our hearts to see anew.

Blessing When the World is Ending

Look, the world
is always ending
somewhere.

Somewhere
the sun has come
crashing down.

Somewhere
it has gone
completely dark.

Somewhere
it has ended
with the gun
the knife
the fist.

Somewhere
it has ended
with the slammed door
the shattered hope.

Somewhere
it has ended
with the utter quiet
that follows the news
from the phone
the television
the hospital room.

Somewhere
it has ended
with a tenderness
that will break
your heart.

But, listen,
this blessing means
to be anything
but morose.
It has not come
to cause despair.

It is simply here
because there is nothing
a blessing
is better suited for
than an ending,
nothing that cries out more
for a blessing
than when a world
is falling apart.

This blessing
will not fix you
will not mend you
will not give you
false comfort;
it will not talk to you
about one door opening
when another one closes.

It will simply
sit itself beside you
among the shards
and gently turn your face
toward the direction
from which the light
will come,
gathering itself
about you
as the world begins
again.

Poem Written by ~ Jan Richardson

 The Advent season and tradition of lighting the candles helps us to pause in reverence and  acknowledge the sacredness of all life. In this way we prepare our hearts to be gently turned in the direction of light.

Whether or not you are of a particular faith or religious affiliation, may you discover the beauty of this Advent season and embrace the never ending mystery of Love's unfolding in our lives. 

Liz Sorensen Wessel

Wreath photo-Internet