Advent season has officially begun. I've polished the little brass candlesticks, but I've yet to go to the store for my purple, pink and white candles, which I will do this afternoon. These symbols are important enough to spend the money on having them in the house. The candles are lit in order, the first is a purple candle, that represents Hope. The second candle is also a purple candle representing Love. The third candle is the pink candle that represents Joy, and the fourth candle is a purple candle representing Peace. The final, white candle is the one we light on Christmas day, the candle of Christ. We've celebrated Advent for years with Bible readings and family time, but last year I added the candles--because nothing encourages prayer like giving your kids candles and lighters.
This week, we will light the candle of Hope. With this, we will not only acknowledge the most important hope of Christ's arrival, but the personal hope that the interviews this week will be fruitful. We hope, even when fear threatens to overwhelm us. We hope even when we have no money to pay the bills. We cling to hope even when we want to cry and feel sorry for ourselves. We hope even when our bald tires slide across the ice. We hope always. Without hope we would fall apart. So this year, when the first candle is lit, we will say our prayers of hope and we will continue to be thankful for the gifts we have.
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