Light It Up! Our Advent Wreath

On the eve of the first Sunday of the Advent season, I am reflecting on this "Great Light" God shone upon us when he gave to us his only Son, his Prince of Peace. I've read Isaiah 9: 1-7, which has gotten me into an anticipatory mood.

I'm one of those who doesn't have a clue what anyone is talking about when they reference scripture. I have to actually hear the words or read them, then I realize I've read it enough times that I should know it, but I just don't remember the reference. Isaiah 9: 1-7 is the one that starts, "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light..."

How can we make this light shine in our home, upon our family during this busy holiday season? Kids love candles. They especially love blowing them out after watching the flame dance around a few tentative test puffs from across the table. Cause and effect in action. The Light is what it's all about, so I'm thinking I need to fashion an Advent wreath, with one candle for each of the four weeks leading up to Christmas, then a fifth to light on Christmas Eve, symbolizing the birth of Jesus, the light of the world. Nothing fancy. Just five tapers or pillar candles, set in a circle on the table with some greenery.

I think lighting the Advent candle each night at dinner will be an opportunity to reinforce the true meaning of the season. Even if all they get out of it right now is "Jesus is the light of the world," this will become an important and expected part of Advent, helping them see the growing light leading up to Jesus' birth.

So as we "green the house" this week, preparing our hearts and our home for this ultimate birthday celebration, I think we'll add some extra greenery to the table for our Advent wreath.

For ideas about how to use color in your Advent wreath and other general Advent information, go here.

This blog gives lots of ideas for making a wreath, along with great photos of her family's homemade Advent wreath and the symbolism of the things they used to adorn it.