Speak to Me (Advent) Sunday: Actively Waiting

The fact that Thanksgiving slides effortlessly into the Advent season is just as it should be. After the past few days of family gathering from near and far, sitting around the table talking, laughing, passing heaping plates of food--all that bounty!--we can now ride that wave of gratitude as we step into the Advent season.

But what should we be doing during Advent?

It sounds paradoxical during the hustle and bustle of the next coming weeks, but spiritually ... we wait.

Actively.

Like that waiting time before a trip. That period of preparation for a future action, a period of activity in waiting for the Moment.

So in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the next coming weeks, I will also be cocooned in this season of anticipation. I will wait. Actively. With prayer, scripture, and reflection of the healing memory of the God who became child and the hope that memory brings.

Advent wreath 2021: mismatched candle holders, greenery from a foraging adventure, 

one perfect pine cone from Joe during a canal walk, holly leaves from our yard.

No purple or pink candles, but I am okay with that since original Advent wreaths were

made with homemade beeswax candles. 

The Symbolism behind the Advent wreath:

greenery = everlasting life

holly = crown of thorns

pine cones/nuts/pods = life and resurrection

four candles = four weeks of Advent

color purple = prayer, penance, royalty

color pink = rejoicing

circular wreath = eternity of God; His never-ending love

progressive lighting of the candles = expectation and hope surrounding Christ's birth