“Shhh…” One of the older girls hushed her brother as we prepared to light the second candle of the wreath. “Stop making weird noises. We’re ‘Adventing’!”Yes, we are Adventing in a big way this year, with multiple countdowns in progress throughout the house.First, there’s the Journey to Bethlehem tradition that I told you about when describing how Advent first came to our home ten years ago.That scene is set up on a side table in the dining room. The kids take turns moving Mary and Joseph forward one stone per day.This year we’ve added something new:
We invested in “The Way of Light” wooden wreath, designed for use from Advent to Ascension by Ann Voskamp’s son, who makes each one by hand.I ordered one, and Ann kindly brought it to me when we met up in Texas.This is our family’s first year to use the wreath, though I’ve known about it since I first saw it on Ann’s website in a photo that showed her daughter gazing at it, face aglow like a cherub’s in the candles’ dim light.The simplicity of this wreath is brilliant.It’s set up in the middle of our kitchen table, where we eat most of our meals. As we move those candles forward and light them each day, we use Jesse Tree symbols to spark conversation during and after dinner. Sometimes I read straight from Ann’s devotional; other times we simply talk about how the symbol—and the passage from God’s Word—points to Jesus. We pray together before blowing out the candles.Then there’s the Advent wreath.
Each Sunday after church, we light another candle on the Advent wreath and enjoy a simple devotional.Based on my Internet research (which for some reason I do again and again, year after year), the symbolic color and meanings of the Advent wreath candles vary.The fifth, center candle, the “Christ Candle,” is white and represents baby Jesus Himself, to be lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning.But the meaning of the four candles that surround the Christ Candle seems to be up for grabs.For example, the candles around the circle could represent: Prophecy, Bethlehem, Shepherds, Angels; or Hope, Love, Joy and Peace; or they could even represent people, like the John the Baptist, the shepherds or magi, Joseph, and Mary.If, like us, you’re relatively new to Advent, and your church doesn’t do much for Advent, how do you pick?I’ve concluded that you ought to just go for it…pick a set of four meanings that fall under the overall theme of “waiting,” and don’t fret too much.I say this to you because I think I fret way too much, and I’d like to save you some fretting…so you can get busy Adventing.
One idea I had for our devotionals best fit with the shepherds, but I forgot which candle was which, so I just did it today.We talked about how the shepherds were just going about their work, minding their own business, hanging out in the fields like they always did, day after day; night after night; same old, same old.And then, in the middle of their same-old—out of nowhere—an angel of the Lord appeared, and the glory of the Lord shone around them.The shepherds were terrified, but the angel said:
Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,“Glory to God in the highest heaven,and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:10-14)
Can you imagine?That great company of the heavenly host, praising God, must have blown them away; but I think it’s hard for us to imagine today what that might be like.Then I thought of something that might give us all an idea of what it would feel like to be taken completely off guard like the shepherds.The Belgian Wonder and I showed the kids this video, which I’ve managed to keep hidden from the kids until today:I’ve already seen it at least three times, but it was the first time the kids saw the girl on her cell phone nail those first clear, bold notes; the guy in the sweatshirt jump onto the chair to break out in song; and the janitor leap in to join the chorus with his yellow “Wet Floor” sign held high.The kids were delighted, laughing and pointing out each wonder-filled, unexpected “moment.”It was a complete and utter surprise to all the people who were just going about their day; discussing their purchases; eating their Subway sandwiches; minding their own business; same old, same old.Out of nowhere, a heavenly chorus starts singing to the shoppers, “Hallelujah!”Out of nowhere, a heavenly host said to the shepherds, “Glory to God in the highest heaven!”If “Adventing,” so to speak, is about waiting…we Kroekers may not be waiting very well.We started out well when we lit the Prophecy candle the first week, recalling the long, dark wait of God’s people as they held on to promises from the Father.But today, at only the second candle, the big news has already slipped out: Joyous, unexpected, impossibly glorious news for all people—a Savior has been born!It’s okay, though. As we continue to journey toward Christmas, as we’re Adventing, we already know the good news.
The advent candles was new to me as I began to attend my current church. It is a lovely ceremony and each week one of the ladies tells the store behind the symbal or word. Today our Pastor preached on Zacheriah, (Johns father) who wrote “His name is John” Then the new dad (priest) began to speak and prophesy about this new babe.
Luke chapter 1
I love that story of Zechariah being struck dumb by the angel b/c of his lack of faith–so the candle must have been the “John the Baptist” candle? Or maybe the candle represented “faith”?
Thanks for sharing your experience with me!
Girlfriend, you made my day! I actually got tears in my eyes when they all raised their hands at the end. In the mall!
I am definitely using this during our Advent devotional in the morning. Maybe the sounds will even entice my teenage son to come to the table and join us. 🙂
Hi Ann… I just met Dedra @ the deeper still conference and she told me of you.
So Hi:)
I enjoyed your post…Isn’t it fun to share the wonder of Christmas with our little ones! I love the video!
Hi Ann – I just saw that Halleluia Chorus mall flash mob video last weekend – I LOVED it! At the time, I didn’t connect it to the element of surprise that the shepherds must have experienced, but you’re right….It’s exactly what it must have been like (except on a grander scale, of course – although this was pretty incredible!).
Oh I DO love that word ‘Adventing.’ Makes me smile.
And speaking of smiling, goodness. Your gracious comments at my places made me smile too. You are too kind. 🙂
I read your post here the day you wrote it, but forgot to stop here in this space and tell you how much I love it. How much I love that Advent has become a verb at your house. I also loved the Hallelujah Chorus in the food court, and how you used it to connect to the shepherds that night.
Adventing is not to be done amidst “weird noises.” Our little crew always needs a reminder on that!
It’s just SO odd to see the Hallelujah Chorus sung, er “sung” in an informal setting, by regular people. Loved it.
I saw the hallelujah chorus flash mob video yesterday and shared it on my Facebook page too. Loved it! God’s blessings to you, Ann, during this Christmas season!
It sounds like your Advent devotions are just a wee bit more peaceful than mine. We are using Caleb’s wreath too (don’t you just love it?), and tonight, my husband (yes, that’s right, the BIG boy) took the Mary figure and made it dance beside the flaming candles and asked my sons, “do you know what this guy is saying?” then he started singing Jimi Hendrix’s “Let Me Stand Next to Your Fire”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM-ubvZfEfo
sometimes I feel like I’m fighting a losing battle :). Seriously, though, it has been a monumental thing for us all to do Advent devotions together. You gotta start somewhere…
Hilarious! 🙂
And sad, too. 🙁
Because I know you want more.
Together around the table is a good place to be–laughing together. I think you’re on the right track, for sure! It’s got to be something that fits your family, and it sounds like your family needs a dose of humor to “fit”!
Do you recall where you purchased/ordered the candles you use with your wreath? I just received mine in the mail, and I’m not sure where to look.