Friendship Friday: An Unorthodox Advent Wreath

Friendship Friday – A Season To Celebrate

My Advent wreath is  unusual this year because it is a not actually a wreath at all but simply a pile of  cedar branches, encircling  four Advent candles with a simple carving of Mary praying, carved by a dear friend. A bit unusual but fitting because Advent is a time of waiting in the dark, in silence,  in simplicity for the coming of Christ, the Light of the World.

There is no better way to prepare our hearts to receive Christ than to light the candles of theAdvent wreath every evening in the weeks leading up to Christmas.The Catholic Church understands the power of symbols and the physical act of lighting candles and saying short prayers really does open our spiritual selves to the real Light of the World.

                                                                                                     ADVENT PRAYER 

Father in heaven, our hearts desire the warmth of your love and our minds are searching for the light of your Word. Increase our longing for Christ our Savior and give us the strength to grow in love, that the dawn of his coming may find us rejoicing in his presence and welcoming the light of his truth. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.