what I do

what I do

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Twenty-five candles

We spent the long Thanksgiving weekend with my daughter in her little tiny town. It was everything a Thanksgiving weekend should be ... family and great food and time to sit and relax. And ponder. I took a drive one day into the mountains and soaked in the golden leaves and collected some pine cones and evergreen branches. And I did a little research on Advent. 


When I was growing up we did not talk about Advent. Or if we did, I missed it. Advent to me was opening up little cardboard calendars with chocolates inside ... it was nothing more than a countdown to Christmas.  




I decided that I wanted this year to be more simplified. More about the thought behind this season than the frantic pursuit of gifts and bringing down the boxes and boxes of ornaments. 


I decided I want it to be more about Advent. I read here about the way this family celebrates Advent.



I tried to find an wooden advent "wreath" like they used. But couldn't. So I decided to make my own. 






One candle for each day until Christmas. The tall candles are for the Sundays leading up to Christmas and one for Christmas Day. Each day I will light one candle, read a scripture and say a prayer. It is a way to stop and reflect; to focus on what is important to me. 
I read that the candles represent Hope, and Love, Joy and Peace. Can't we can all use more of those?

"Arise, shine;
  For your light has come!
  And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. 
  For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
  And deep darkness the people;
  But the LORD will arise over you,
  And His glory will be seen upon you."
                  -Isaiah 60:1-2

2 comments:

designchic said...

I completely agree, Sherri. Thank you for the reminder…

Unknown said...

You are welcome Design Chic :)
I just left you a little note on your website - purchased some sweet gifts :)