Season of Advent Leads All to the Christ Child, Our Long-Awaited Messiah

Creating an Advent wreath is an act of Advent hope. It starts small, but quickly overtakes us: a light in the darkness, a transformative cry for hope in our world and finally a child to be born. Enter that place in you called Advent. For it is a time of waiting. It comes gradually, it tests our hearts, for we are waiting for Jesus, the greatest gift from God that comes to our world. But are we really only waiting four weeks of Advent? Or is Advent for a lifetime?

“We encourage one another to find the time, place and style of prayer that is spiritually nourishing.” 

“I Am the Way,” Loretto’s Constitutions, #44

Advent is the symbolic beginning of the Christian year. The circle of the green Advent wreath stands for God’s eternal love for us. The first of four Advent wreath candles is lit on the First Sunday of Advent, Nov. 30. The candle represents hope in the prophecy of the birth of the long-awaited Messiah. The second candle, lit on the Second Sunday of Advent, Dec. 6, reminds us of Jesus’ teaching on love, that being in right relationship with God depends on our loving of neighbor: feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, welcoming the refugee. Dec.13, the Third Sunday of Advent, the lighting of the third candle, which is one of joy, takes place. The love of God is tender, wise and strong. It brings us all joy. And the fourth candle, one for peace, will be lit Dec. 20, the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Christ is the peace that heals our wounded world. 

As the light of our advent wreath
grows stronger, 
week by week,
make us strong in following Jesus
in the love and the peace 
we show to others.