When it comes to the Advent season, what typically comes to my mind are calendars filled with candy, small toys or activities the kids and/or family can do together. However, my husband reminds me that the real reason for Advent is much different where he is from in Austria, and it is, quite literally preparing our hearts for Him, the Christ Child, to come. In many homes, especially in Europe, Advent is brought about by lighting four candles over four weeks, and each candle has its own meaning.
The first candle, which is purple, symbolizes hope, and many times it is referred to as the “Prophecy Candle” since the prophets, specifically Isaiah foretold the birth of Christ long before His arrival in the New Testament. Throughout the first week of Advent, we read verses and light this candle as we feel expectation of the coming Messiah.
The second candle, which is also purple, represents faith. It is called the “Bethlehem Candle” as a reminder of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.
The third candle, “Shepherd’s Candle”, is pink and symbolizes joy and the fourth candle, which is also purple, symbolizes peace on Earth.
We need to know this, because our tendency, as Americans in 2021, is to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season, what the other families are doing, what our kids expect of us and a plethora of other unimportant, insignificant activities that have absolutely nothing to do with the season we’re supposed to be celebrating, and actually, work only to distract us from what we are supposed to be focusing on.
Do you even realize that Christmas in a season of expectation of Christ, of our redemption through Him, of peace on Earth and at the very least, reflection upon what He has done for us? Instead, while family traditions, new and old, are wonderful and special, we tend to get caught up in the checklist of things that have to be done in order for Christmas to be perfect and complete. Meanwhile, our kids are getting more and more unruly about their over-the-top expectations of us (usually Moms) during the holidays.
It’s time to go back to the basics and learn to breathe again. It’s time to really take time to rest, restore, reflect and rejoice in the Savior. It’s time to realize that this season that causes all Moms to feel more than just a tinge of anxiety is about something entirely different than what we make of it. And even though changing the vicious cycle we’ve created ourselves seems more than impossible to transform, it is possible to incorporate more meaning and less materialism. It is possible to simplify and shed unnecessary obligations in order to come out of this season rejuvenated, restored and rested rather than exhausted, overwhelmed and drained of all will to live.
How will you accomplish that?