3rd Advent

Sorry about the hiatus, I had a cold for a couple of days and nothing exciting to report besides drinking tea.  Today is the beginning of the third week of Advent.

Magreta gave me an advent wreath with candles as well as two new star lamps to brighten up the apartment.  I hung them in the windows so the people on the street can see them too!



I wish the advent wreath was a more popular tradition in the states, because it has a really cool meaning.  In fact,each candle has a special meaning.  They are also supposed to be different colors, but I only had white ones.

• The first candle (purple) “CANDLE OF HOPE" means His promise and hope. We can have hope because God is faithful and will keep the promises He made to us. Our hope comes from God. (Romans 15:12-13)
• The second candle (purple) "CANDLE OF PREPARATION" means His light and preparation. Preparation means to 'get ready'. "Help us to be ready to welcome YOU, O GOD!" (Luke 3:4-6) (Some traditions combine the first two)
• The third candle (pink or rose) "CANDLE OF JOY" means the angels sang a message of JOY! (Luke 2:7-15)
• The fourth candle (purple or blue) "CANDLE OF LOVE" symbolizes Christ love. God sent His only Son to earth to save us, because He loves us! (John 3:16-17) (some traditions omit this one)
• The fifth candle (white) "CHRIST CANDLE" symbolizes the incarnation, the heart and reason of the season, God giving light to the world. Its location is in the center as Christ’s light is central and radiant. This reminds us that Jesus is the spotless Lamb of God, sent to wash away our sins! (in wreaths that have 4 candles, it is in the circle among the rest of the candles