- 03
- Dec
- 2023
Sunday, December 3, 2023
The Season of Advent always held special meaning for Michael and me, and even though Michael is no longer physically present, the practice of Advent lives on in my personal life.
Immediately after Thanksgiving the air is charged with an element of busyness. Everyone seems preoccupied, making lists, planning, purchasing, doing. And it seems this busyness takes on a life of its own, leaving quiet and stillness behind. The personal practice of The Season of Advent brought calm to each day, no matter what was on the agenda. The time set aside for the ceremony became a sanctuary of peace and helped keep our focus on the real meaning of Advent. It still brings me to peace to this day.
I pray it will do the same for each of you, as we experience Advent together. By this time, you have made your Advent wreath, and planned a simple ceremony. So, each day I will share my reading with you, and encourage you to follow suit and find a reading that is best suited to you.
On this first Sunday of Advent, 2023, the reading I have chosen is from Isaiah 2:4-5.
The Reading
December 3, 2023
“… They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. House of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!” Isaiah 2:4-5
- 02
- Dec
- 2023
The Light of The Dove
Words to Accompany Song
Come I bring bread.
Come I bring wine.
Come sit and be fed, at the table divine, of the Lord.
We come bearing The Light of The Dove,
And as we come, we show The Way.
We come bearing The Light of The Dove,
Singing we wait for Christmas Day.
And the song that we sing will be faith,
It will be hope, it will be love,
And our path will be radiant light,
Flyng ahead will be The Dove.
Come I bring bread.
Come I bring wine.
Come sit and be fed, at the table divine, of the Lord.
- 02
- Dec
- 2023
Advent Song
The Light of The Dove
The following words are to a song received, during prayer, to be used throughout the season of Advent. While we never professed to be singers, we found ourselves singing the words received in prayer, and taking great joy in doing so. Michael, who many will remember took a while to find the right note, sang out, as if prompted by angels to do so. We urge each of you to do the same. Do not hold back because you think you cannot sing. Sing, knowing that when you sing angels sing with you, and the song of your heart is divine.
Come I bring bread.
Come I bring wine.
Come sit and be fed, at the table divine, of the Lord.
We come bearing The Light of The Dove,
And as we come, we show The Way.
We come bearing The Light of The Dove,
Singing we wait for Christmas Day.
And the song that we sing will be faith,
It will be hope, it will be love,
And our path will be radiant light,
Flying ahead will be The Dove.
Come I bring bread.
Come I bring wine.
Come sit and be fed, at the table divine, of the Lord.
- 02
- Dec
- 2023
The Advent Wreath
As we journey through Advent together, please know this is not an attempt to ascribe, or give credence to, any one teaching or belief or trying to persuade you to a way of belief. It is a sharing in what we were led to do, as personal participation in the season of Advent.
So, let’s make the Advent wreath.
The Advent Wreath: You will need live or artificial greenery in the form of a wreath; a total of 5 candles: 4 candles of the same size, 3 purple and 1 rose; and one white column candle, which is larger than the other 4. You can also choose to use all white candles, tying purple ribbons around three of the candles, and a rose ribbon around the other candle. Set the candles equidistant from each other around the wreath. Place the larger white candle, in the center of the wreath. The center candle is not lit until Christmas Day and is known as the Christ candle. Some do not put a candle in the center, so you can choose whether you do this or not. You can find many instructions on the internet about preparing an Advent wreath, including pictures.
Next, plan a brief ceremony for each night of Advent. Keep it simple, quiet, tender. Remembering that Advent is a time of hope, waiting for the coming. The Oxford English Dictionary gives the definition of “Advent” as ‘The arrival of a notable person or thing’. It stems from the Latin root, Adventus, which means ‘arrival’ through its root from the word advenire whereby ad – ‘to’ and venire – ‘come’.
We always began the ceremony with a song, ‘The Light of The Dove,’ which we received in prayer. But you can plan your ceremony to be as you would have it. Many choose, ‘Come, O Come, Emmanuel.’ After the song, proceed with the lighting of the candle(s), and a reading from The Old Testament, or choose a verse, or sing another song, which is special to you, or your family. After the song and/or reading is complete, blow out the candle(s), and enjoy the peace of night you have created. We chose sunset as the daily time for the lighting of the Advent wreath, but you can select a time which best suits you.
Begin on the first Sunday of Advent (this year it is December 3, 2023) by lighting the first purple candle. Each night of the first week you light the same candle and perform your personal ceremony. Then, on the second Sunday of Advent you light not only the first purple candle but also a second purple candle. Each night of the second week you light the same two candles. On the third Sunday of Advent, you light the two purple candles as well as the rose candle. Each night of the third week you light the same candles. The fourth Sunday of Advent you light the three previous candles and the last purple candle. Each night of the fourth week you light the same candles. On Christmas Day you light all four candles on the wreath and the larger candle in the center of the wreath.
If you wish, this practice can continue, lighting all five candles each night throughout the twelve days of Christmas, until you reach the twelfth day of Christmas, which is celebrated as the Epiphany (the visitation of the Magi).
I am eager to begin this holy season with you and look forward to the lighting of the candles each day. This year I think I will continue to choose sunset as my time of day to have my personal Advent ceremony. With each candle I light I will think of The Light of The World, for we are all meant to be The Light of The World. Thank you for joining me as we make our way through the season of Advent, together.
- 01
- Dec
- 2023
