candles

Real Thursday turns into Real Late Thursday Night when things get a little hectic, if you know what I mean??

I will be honest, and this is embarrassing, I don't know what Advent really is.  I have never celebrated it.  However, I am drawn to it and we will be fumbling around this December to make it a part of our life.  Not to add any more to what I have on my plate but to slow down and enjoy ourselves more. 

I found a beautiful blog, Mountain Pulse, that has a great outline for celebrating Advent.

And here's something from Howard Thurman that my yoga teacher quoted tonight.

I will light candles this season,

Candles of joy, despite all sadness,

Candles of hope where despair keeps watch,

Candles of courage where fear is ever present,

Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days,

Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens,

Candles of love to inspire all my living,

Candles that will burn all the year long.

Did you enjoy that as much as I did?  I will come back at 12 noon Friday to close comments on my give-away!  If you haven't left a comment and want a chance, please do check out the post here.

Comments

[heather]

mmmm, i'm gonna be really late with my real thursday-ing. like friday, if i'm lucky. but i'm looking forward to whatever it is i get to write about that feels a little scary to reveal!

i don't know what advent is either. i think it's christian. that is embarrassing to admit, for me too. i married a jewish man, and i'm excited to be doing hannukah (i can't spell it) this year. i only know a little about it.....

[heather]

we will still have a christmas tree though.

[nicola@which name?]

beautiful, kyndale. now you need some beeswax candles to go with it!
i just found mountain pulse, too, through a comment on my blog. i also really liked her advent post!
nicola
http://whichname.blogspot.com

[renee @ FIMBY]

from the Christian tradition Advent is the time leading up to Jesus' birth. It's a time of anticipation and expectation. There are 5 candles that depending on your tradition represent: Hope, Love, Joy, Peace & the Christ Candle (for Christmas Day).The first four correspond to the Biblical story elements of prophecy, Bethlehem, shepherds & angels.

There is a lot more to it than that if people really want to dig deep but we focus on those elements as we light the candles leading up to Christmas Day. Of course it's not just about candles, lighting the candles just serves a way to "spark" imagination, discussion and reflection. Which could be done in a family of any faith or tradition.

As a kid I didn't celebrate it and then as a teenager my parents started. We celebrate it in our home on & off depending on the year. This year we're taking it easy. No wreath, no candles. Funny, no ones brought it up yet... Sometimes the preparation for these things are more work than I can manage - that's how I feel this year (our wooden candle holder died last year).

That was long...

[kelleyn]

Advent is the 4 Sundays leading up to Christmas. Most families have a wreath on their table with 4 candles. Each Sunday you light an additional candle. Not only do you do this, but it is a time to come together as a family. Drink hot coco, eat treats, sing songs, watch Chrismas movies, or do an holiday craft. We have been doing this in our home for years and it really makes the holiday season special. This Sunday we are going to a holiday concert. There is also a song that goes along with lighting the candle. Advent Advent ein licht brenze jetzt first eins, dan zweit, dan drei, dan vier dann steht das Christ kind fuer die tur. Advent Advent a light burns now, first one, than two, than three, than four. Than stands the Christ Child at the door. Hope this helps!

[Hip Mountain Mama]

I love Mountain Pulse...I found her a few months back and have enjoyed following her blog. I do love that candle verse! We do an advent calender and we light the candles in the wreath at dinner...that is about all we do! I hope you enjoy a new tradition!
Suzy

[Kelly]

very beautiful words!

[Kerry]

So lovely, thanks for sharing! I was thinking that beeswax candles would be perfect too!

[vanessa]

oh I did! and I might have to read it to my class on monday night~
thank you

[Heather]

Mountain pulse is a wonderful blog. Thank you for sharing such a gorgeous poem