A friend has been sharing her Advent wreath and candle display every week for the past 3 weeks. I miss having mine up, so I’m grateful for hers. My space is so small and I have such limited flat surfaces that I haven’t made one for a few years.

But it got me thinking. I might not have the room for an actual display of the Advent candles, but it doesn’t mean I can’t observe it in other ways.

Ok so first, what is an Advent Wreath and Candles? Well, traditionally each candle represents a Sunday leading up to Christmas. And the advent is a time of reflecting, letting go and preparing ourselves emotionally, physically, psychologically for the new year.

There is symbolism in every part of the piece. From the circle of the evergreen; which shows no beginning or end shows the unconditional love of God, the immortality of our souls and everlasting life we have even after our bodies have gone, the soul of us, our Source, Essence is still here – to each candle and in some cultures the candle colors.

For me I’ve always gone with a white candle or one year I couldn’t find white candles so I used red. But it wasn’t because it had any special meaning for me, it was just what I liked.

On the Sunday when a new candle is lit, I would light it and as the flame burned, I’d close my eyes and just breathe. In with hope, love, peace and out the anxiety, stresses and fears. I might not say any kind of actual prayer but I don’t know if we really need to. It’s more of the symbol of the wreath and candle set up that I love having in my life.

One year while living in Switzerland, I found a 4 wick candle for my Advent display. Similar to this one from Costco…

They aren’t easy to find so I usually go with 4 individual candles.

Some people use 5 candles and the fifth one is lit on Christmas day. I don’t think there really is any right or wrong way of enjoying this tradition. It is up to the individual person and what it actually represents for themselves.

Happy 3rd Advent my friends. See you back here tomorrow.