Advent Candle Celebration 2006
Life hurried, life slowed, I stopped, looked and listened . . . Then I saw all the stuff, and forced myself to look beyond the stuff, and saw all those people, people of varied shapes and sizes, backgrounds and couched with their beliefs . . . I said to myself, Morrie Swartz was right, "The stuff does not matter, it can be replaced, it is the love of friends, family and life that matters." Quote, Morrie Swartz*
To each one a Joyous and Merry Christmas greeting . . .
Hoping that there is that little something that will be remembered with grateful hearts by each one of us from . . .
The "Advent Candle" Wreath
Advent: Latin, to come.
And now the story . . .
Gabriel and Michael have descended to earth from the presence of God, to see the wondrous treasure that had been seen like a super nova on the earth from the heaven of heavens, a treasure that was arranged by what seemed to be six wayward children huddled around a make shift table for a celebration remembrance of the First Advent . . .
Standing before the six children unseen and unheard, Gabriel said This treasure, is it a treasure? What is it, what does it mean? Michael replied "And these children, who are these children? I don't know, I shall ask", said Gabriel. In the twinkling of an eye Gabriel and Michael the visitors appeared, startling the six children by the sudden appearance of these heavenly visitors. Said Gabriel to who seemed to be the oldest of the six children, "I am Gabriel, who are you? Are you the guardian of these five children with you? Michael said, "And if it is so, I ask you to tell us, and who are these children that are with you, and of this treasure before us, about it's materials and it's meaning."
The oldest child began, "Gabriel, Michael, it is so, as you have questioned, I am their guardian, my name is Trust." With that, Trust turned toward the five children and the treasure that was in question. "I shall now tell you the childrens names, and of this treasure. The materials that were chosen, some were created by God's handy work, the others were fashioned from God's creation by man, and it seemed fitting to fashion this treasure using these things that we have found." The oldest child continued, "As to the reasoning for using each item, I will explain." Gabriel said, "Please do."
"Thank you, Gabriel", said the oldest child, stepping from behind the crudely made display table that had the treasure on it, that was between the celestial visitors and the children. Pointing to the treasure on the table, Trust said, This is a First Advent Candle Wreath.
Clearing his throat and looking up thoughtfully at Gabriel and Michael, Trust very humbly and quietly began . . .
"The wreath of evergreen, is for unending love and eternal life; the holly berries and leaves are hearty, lasting and faithful; the candle holders, the rings of gold are precious and enduring; the wood materials are for remembrance of the cradle and the cross. Gabriel responded, I understand, then asked, "but what of the other five children and what do they represent and what of the objects they are carrying?" Michael spoke up, "Yes, what of these five children and the objects they are holding in there hands."
The oldest child, Trust, the guardian of the five said, "These five children are each holding a visible heart gift, that bears their name, it is a candle of remembrance for the First Advent of Jesus. The child continued, "If they may, I shall let each child explain." Gabriel looking at Michael then back to the children said, "Yes, please do."
The first child nervously stepped forward, "Mister Gabriel, sir, my name is Peace and I hold in my hand a beautiful purple candle that represents my name, Peace." "May I now place it in its golden candle holder?" Gabriel answered, "Yes Peace, please do so."
The second child quickly stepped forward. Not all intimidated, smiling boldly said, "Hi!, Gabriel, my name is Joy, I too hold in my hand a beautiful purple candle, that represents my name, Joy. I will now place it in its holder of gold." Michael responded, "Wonderful".
The third child slowly stepped forward, and almost in a whisper said, "Gabriel, Michael, my name Love, I also hold in my hand a beautiful purple candle that represents my name, Love" Then gesturing toward the wreath of evergreen, asked, "May I also place this candle in the golden holder?" Gabriel nodding said, "Oh yes Love, please do."
Now the fourth child was the shortest of the six. Stepped forward, and standing tipped toed to see over the display, said, "Hello," then asked, "Can you see me?" "Yes" said Gabriel, "good" said the wee child, "Well, Mr. Gabriel, my name is Hope, and like the other three children before me, I have a candle too, a beautiful pink candle of rare beauty that represents my name, Hope." Continuing, Hope said, "Shall I put it in its candle holder as the others have done?" Gabriel answered "Yes", then Michael said, "Please do."
Then Gabriel looking at the festive display, inquired about the candle holder in the center of the wreath, and asked, "The candle holder in the center of the wreath, does it have no use, or purpose, does it have no candle?"
Then came forward the fifth child, having a robust and cheerful nature. With a smile, proclaimed, "Be of good cheer Gabriel and Michael, my name is Promise. Here in my hand is a candle of pure white, it represents the Promised One, Jesus." Promise paused for a moment, then asked, "may I place this candle in the center holder of this wreath display, the rightful place of the Promised One." Michael nodded, and then Gabriel answered, "Oh yes, please do."
Now all the wreath candles in place. "Is that all," Gabriel asked. "NO" shouted the children gleefully, "May we now light the candles as a remembrance and a light to the world?" Michael then looking around at the children answered, "Oh yes please do, light them as a remembrance of the Father's Peace, Joy, Love, Hope and the Promise of Salvation through Jesus His Son, a light to a darkened world." As each child would light their candle, the light grew brighter and brighter. And when the center candle was lit, the light was so bright that it did outshine the sun, the moon and the stars.
This story of the Advent Candle Wreath is only alleged, yet possible. For this Advent Candle Wreath was made up of the discards and throw throwaways that we see from day to day . . .
Like the evergreen wreath that was no longer useful . . .
The holly leaves and berries that were not quite what somebody else had in mind . . .
Then the golden candle holders, well what do you expect, they were last years fashion . . .
The wood that served as a platform, it was meant for the stove, but was rescued . . .
The candles, well, they were never used for the dinner guests as intended, yet they have been seen burning brightly by the heavenly visitors Gabriel and Michael . . .
The six children, who like some of the rest societies surplus population, had been treated like the homeless, the hungry, widows and orphans, in a throwaway world . . .
This assortment of things that were brought together by these six children, who were not able to attain what society says is a proper traditional tree or other costly display for the Advent Celebration. They chose the materials, that were fitting for their Advent Candle Wreath Celebration, to honor Jesus Christ the Savior, who also choose you and I for a purpose . . .
May you see others regardless of their station in life through the eyes of kindness, mercy and charity, and behold all things bright and beautiful as you celebrate this Advent Season called Christmas!
Maranatha! Praise the Lord and Amen!
The "Advent Candle" Wreath, written by The Psalmist, 2005-2006.
*Tuesdays with Morrie. Copyright 1997 by Mitch Ablom. Doubleday a division of Random House.
