Our time of waiting is more than half over. Christmas draws near! This morning during worship we lit the third candle of our Advent wreath. Here's what was in today's bulletin.
"Here at St. Andrew's we have been lighting one candle each week during Advent (the 4 Sundays preceding Christmas). There are many symbols associated with this tradition. The wreath, an unending circle, has long represented eternal life. Gerry Bowler suggests in The World Encyclopedia of Christmas that it may also foreshadow Christ's crown of thorns. You will notice that 3 candles are purple - the liturgical colour for Advent. They represent Hope, Peace and Love. This week we'll light the one pink candle - the liturgical colour for Joy. As the darkness of December deepens, the candlelight grows until Christmas Eve when we will light the white Christ candle. God has sent us the Light of lights!"
Symbols and visual aids are useful in worship. They help us 'see' our faith in new ways. However, if the symbol is to stay meaningful, we must know the history behind it. This is why I feel it is so important to keep teaching others, and learning things myself, about worship, how and why we do what we do. I'm sure at some point this thought alone will provide material for a post or two!
The days are still getting shorter; the darkness grows longer. Look ahead, my friend, your redemption draws nigh!
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