Day 40 and Counting...

Following the calendar of the Celtic Advent, today marks the first of 40 days of preparation for the birth of Christ. The traditional way of celebrating included using a seven-stemmed candle holder, known as a menorah. One candle was lit on the first evening (December 17), two on the second, and so on until December 23rd. In the more modern Christian era, churches have had 5 candles (often four embedded in a circular wreath with the taller, central white candle in the center). One is lit the 4th Sunday before Christmas, two on the 3rd, three on the 2nd and finally, the center candle is lit to symbolize the birth of Christ. In our old church we had three purples, one pink, and the Christ candle. Each of the four candles represent hope, peace, love and joy. Why the pink? Because it stands for the anticipation of what is to come - joy.

Since change has been a thing throughout the centuries and 2020 has been a real cluster cuss, I’d like to suggest we just go hog wild and do a 40 day throwback candle lighting extravaganza. Starting today, why don’t we light one candle per night until we hit the week of Christmas? In the final week, why don’t we count down and candle up? 1 on day 7, 2 on day 6, until we have 7 beautiful candles lit for our Christmas Day celebration?

A suggested prayer for your lighting tradition:

God of the watching ones, give us Your benediction.

God of the waiting ones, give us Your good word for our souls.

God of the watching ones, the waiting ones, the slow and suffering ones, give us Your benediction, Your good word for our souls, that we might rest.

God of the watching ones, the waiting ones, the slow and suffering ones, and the angels in heaven, and the child in the womb, give us Your benediction, Your good word for our souls, that we might rest and rise in the kindness of your Company.

Amen