Tis That Time of Year

Happy Saturday! Today is going to be a most interesting day. Hubby’s company is participating in our town’s Christmas Parade. They are decorating a flatbed truck, some of the employees will be riding on the truck, others walking along side, all waving at the crowd waiting for Santa.

We’ve never even been downtown to watch the parade, let alone be in it. Should be fun. Any excuse to wear one of my ugly sweaters and have a bit of Christmas fun.

But that’s not the reason for this post. I wanted to share something with you that I’m rather proud of. I’m really not a crafty sort of person. Oh, I have a ton of ideas rolling around in my head, but don’t always manage to hit the mark if you will. This year I decided to make my own advent wreath. Tomorrow is the First Sunday of Advent, the start of the new Liturgical Year and the Advent Season.

What began as a small idea grew, and grew, and grew. First I wanted to get bigger candles. Then I realized I had an iron candle stand that could hold 5 large candles, one for each Sunday of Advent and the white candle of Christmas Day. So I bought the candles, and even made labels – Hope, Peace, Christ, Joy and Love. And that’s when I realized my bright idea had one tiny flaw – it wasn’t round. I was lacking the traditional Advent Wreath. A wreath has no beginning and no end. It symbolizes God’s complete and unending love for us. While I have seen Advent candle displays that are not in a wreath, for me what the wreath symbolizes was too important. So it was back to the drawing board.

It began with a large round platter that has never been used since it’s so big, it takes up way too much room on my table. The candles fit on the platter, giving me a firm base to build upon. Next came plain evergreen wreaths and flowers from the Dollar Store, some glass candles holders, Styrofoam to give each candle a different height, and a hot glue gun. That and just a little bit of time putting everything together. Hubby says he’s never seen an Advent Wreath like this one. It’s beautiful – made with a heart that is filled with the season.

As for the center candle, I decided to go with a candle we use during prayers throughout the Easter Season. It seemed fitting.

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Alleluia, alleluia.
Be vigilant at all times and pray
That you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.
Alleluia, alleluia.