This evening I lit the first candle in my advent wreath. I especially like this wreath. I purchased it at a fund-raising market from an organization called HOOP (Helping Our Own People), which works with the homeless in Indianapolis, and for the small I paid price it’s well constructed. The base is a disk sliced from a large tree branch, still rough around the edges with bark. Holes drilled in the wood keep the candles secure, and artificial greenery and clear faceted beads on silver wire adorn the base. The final garnish is a silver ribbon twining around the candles and through the greenery.
None of the wreaths at the HOOP booth was identical to another. I could have had something bigger or smaller, or less sparkly. This year I went with the bling, and I love the twinkle of the beads and wire in the ambient candle light. This is also the first year I haven’t made my own wreath from a wire form or Styrofoam ring, and I appreciate the sturdy secure wooden base. The best part is that the purple candles are really purple, not the winey or maroonish candles I’ve had to settle for in the past. Do you know how hard it is to find purple candles in Indianapolis? These were special ordered by a HOOP volunteer with foresight and Internet shopping skills.
It’s a win-win. A good cause got a donation, and I got a beautiful tool to help me prepare for the coming of the Christ Child during Advent.
But here’s what I like best about my advent wreath. I like the way it reflects in the window of the kitchen alcove where it will spend the next month. Tonight I turned out the lights and just watched as the first purple candle put forth a steady orb of light – and then watched the twin orb in the window glass. Already this first light of Advent has been multiplied by itself. I imagined what the wreath will look like week to week as the rest of the candles are lit and the window reflects their light. Immediately I thought of the mass when our congregation hold hands for the Our Father, stepping out into the aisles and reaching over the tops of seats in order to form one continuous chain of faith. Each of us is a light reflecting the inner light of the One within and we form our own prayer wreath.
When I was growing up one particular song was a favorite at youth group meetings, retreats, and camps: “Pass it On” by Kurt Kaiser. Some of you may know it.
“It only takes a spark to get a fire going,
And soon all those around can warm up to its glowing.
That’s how it is with God’s love,
Once you’ve experienced it.
You spread the love to everyone,
You want to pass it on.”
Every week a new light, and that light reflected. What a wonderful opportunity this Advent to pass along God’s love.
Wishing you a space for grace in your life today,
Kate
