In our home growing up, Advent was an ever present part of the Christmas season. I remember after each Thanksgiving mom counting Sundays until Christmas Eve to see when Advent would start. (This year it began the Sunday after Thanksgiving.) It wasn't until just last year that I began to learn that Advent was more than just 4 red candles, one for each Sunday, and 1 white candle, for Christmas Eve; each of these 5 candles have both a name and a meaning.
- Week 1: the prophet's candle. The message of the prophets have a way of bringing Hope to our lives.
- Week 2: Bethlehem's candle: Bethlehem was one of the poorest cities, but what they lacked financially, they made up for in Faith.
- Week 3: the shepherd's candle: What Joy they must have felt at the angel's announcement and again at welcoming in the newborn King.
- Week 4: the angel's candle: "Peace on Earth, goodwill toward men," was their message.
- Christmas Eve: the white candle is symbolic of the Love of our Heavenly Father and His Son.
- Even the wreath is symbolic of the eternity of our Heavenly Father.
In our family, I have added to the tradition. We use the candles' messages as the topic for our FHE for the month. Last Monday we read 4 of the Book of Mormon prophets' predictions of Christ's birth. Next Monday FHE will be about faith, and so on. The kids seem to enjoy it, and the candles mean more to me now than they did when I was younger.
2 comments:
Thanks Lynn. I never knew about the meanings and I think my kids would enjoy taking about them each week.
[From Dan] I had no idea that it was more than just 4 reds and a white as well. This was so neat to read about.
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