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Very few symbols stand out as does the Advent Wreath, usually placed in or near the sanctuary. Especially with these four weeks approaching Christmas with all other decorations removed, the lighting of the candles on the wreath is a reminder of the Christ Jesus’ light becoming more pronounced and profound as Christmas nears. There have been a few hints of an “Advent wreath” in the early history of the church but nothing substantiated. Most likely the roots of this symbol and custom began with a Lutheran minister in the mid 1800’s who was trying to convey the approaching hope of Christmas to a group of children in Germany. With a wheel from a cart he created a wreath with four white candles inside the ring and twenty smaller red candles on the outer ring. Lighting another red candle during each weekday approaching Christmas, and another white candle with each passing Sunday, the Lutheran minister wanted to the children to recognize how the light of Jesus increased as the days got closer to Christmas.
There are a few historical accounts that put the inception of Advent as a church tradition somewhere around the 4th or 5th century. Other traditions use Advent as a way to anticipate the second coming of Jesus Christ, which has yet to transpire. However, most of what we know and practice today, can be traced back to the Middle Ages and later 19th century. In 1851, the first mention of an Advent calendar was seen in Elise Averdieck’s picture book, and in 1839, the advent wreath first appeared. Advent Wreaths now a common symbol within the churches of various Christian denominations, symbolizes the light of Christ as we approach Christmas and secondarily, the circle denoting the continuous life across the seasons, from the death of winter to the new life of Spring. Thus, at each Mass we quietly watch as the lit candles are brought forth, giving us pause to consider the light of our faith present in these ever shorter and colder days. In truth, the advent wreath partially reflects Native American spirituality: “belief that the circular shape represents the continuous pattern of life and death, the path of the sun and moon representing totality, the infinite, eternity—God whose center is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere.” As part of the parish hall addition at Sacred Heart, the marble statue of our Blessed Mother (Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception) was recently set in place in the ‘courtyard’ space. Thank you to the donor who made this possible, and the crew of volunteers who very carefully set the 1,300 pound icon of Mary in place. Statues such as that of Blessed Mother Mary and St. Teresa of Avila on the south side of St. Malachy church, and the statue of St. John next to the sanctuary in the church at Ogden, reflect a presence of God’s grace here on earth and within our fallible humanity. In fact, religious statues often depicted the Catholic faith to the many who were illiterate through the sixteenth century. Alongside stain glass windows, they reflected the work of God here on earth through the humanity and faith of others. Emerging from Judaism, the “house churches” of early followers was absent any such symbols such as statues, a practice that stems from the restrictions within the Hebrew faith, believing such art so to speak would cause idol worship. Once Christianity emerged as the official religion of the Roman Empire under Constantine in the fifth century, statues became a prominent symbol within churches, a “vehicle of expression” of God’s grace and through the faithful endeavors of humans. Rather than an inanimate object that could lead to idol worship, a certain statue can provide a vista of God’s presence working in this world of ours. As a child into my teens, the statue of the Sacred Heart There are a few historical accounts that put the inception of Advent as a church tradition somewhere around the 4th or 5th century. Other traditions use Advent as a way to anticipate the second coming of Jesus Christ, which has yet to transpire. However, most of what we know and practice today, can be traced back to the Middle Ages and later 19th century. In 1851, the first mention of an Advent calendar was seen in Elise Averdieck’s picture book, and in 1839, the advent wreath first appeared. Advent Wreaths now a common symbol within the churches of Jesus on my dresser provided a calming, protective presence of God watching over me. As we do before weekend Masses and when requested, this weekend we are offering Advent Communal Penance Service at each church this Sunday: 11:00am at St. John’s; 1:00pm at Sacred Heart; 3:00pm at St. Malachy. Receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation gives us the healing and forgiving presence of God who desires to take away any barrier (sin) that prevents his presence in our daily life and relationships. And, with the forgiveness offered in this Sacrament, the very real grace of inner-peace enters our heart and very soul. Receiving this Sacrament prior to Christmas may well be the one gift that opens us up to the real meaning of this sacred day. Stepping into this second week of Advent, may we strive for Christian humility in our preparation for the holy day of Christmas. Mother Teresa gives us these simple guidelines: To speak as little as possible of one's self. To mind one's own business. Not to want to manage other people's affairs. To accept contradictions and correction cheerfully. To pass over the mistakes of others. To accept insults and injuries. To accept being slighted, forgotten and disliked. To be kind and gentle even under provocation. Never to stand on one's dignity.
God Bless, Fr. Tim
FYI: “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” (C.S. Lewis)
