Planning Ahead for Advent Season
In addition to daily Mass and prayers, families enjoy the tradition of the Advent wreath. The use of the wreath originated with Lutherans in the 1500s. A wreath, like eternity, has no beginning and no end. Made with fresh plant material the wreath reminds us that Christ gave us new life through his passion, death, and resurrection. There are four candles on the wreath, 3 purple for penance, preparation, and sacrifice, and one pink for the third Sunday as we rejoice that we are almost there. The candle light reminds us that Christ entered the world to scatter the darkness of evil, and the progression of the weekly lighting represents our increasing readiness to meet Him. Lighting the next candle each week and praying together while awaiting the Christmas season to begin is a tradition that helps keep families focused on the true meaning of Christmas.
When I wrote Rock and a Hard Place, A Lithuanian Love Story, I learned how much of the Advent tradition has been lost through neglect. When Danute arrived in Connecticut from Lithuania she was astonished to discover Americans held dances and Christmas parties, went shopping and dated during Advent, and no one fasted. It was a huge conundrum for a young woman trying to fit in with Americans, but who held tightly to her deep spiritual roots. “Advent is for adventing,” she said. “Christmas begins when Advent ends. It’s not Christmas yet, how ca you have a Christmas party?” I understood then, why earlier generations, particularly Europeans, put up the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. Because now it’s Christmas; and they were concentrating on getting spiritually ready. The Christmas season ends with Epiphany.
So, you might be wondering why I’m “adventing” already. Because Advent always sneaks up on me and I’m frantically looking for candles Saturday evening on the last Saturday of Ordinary Time. That’s right after I manage to locate the artificial green wreath in a box in the closet that will have to do until I can put together a nice fresh one, hopefully before we get to the pink candle. Well, this year, I’m going to be ready. This week: The Plan. Next week: Candles. The week after that: Greenery. I will be ready. Wait. Do we have matches?