I know it’s a tradition because we do it every Advent season at the Delp house. As often is the case, I do not know when the tradition even began. I know where it started but I do not know when it started. I do know it did start though because we did it last year, we are planning on doing it this year and I know we will do it again next year.
What is this tradition? Advent is the season that precedes Christmas, that heralds the coming of our Savior. During this time we individually prepare ourselves, our community and our church family for the celebration of the coming of the promised Messiah, the Christ Child. What happens at our house is something special. Each evening during Advent, after the last dish is dried and the last pajama is snapped, we take a few moments to sit quietly to read scripture, God’s word, and other inspirational, thought provoking holiday readings. Reading these things help us to slow down and enjoy not just the fleeting twenty-four hours of Christmas day but the four weeks leading up to the 25th of December. However, it’s even more special than that. We do this all by candlelight. We light our Advent Wreath and then everyone holds their own candle by which to read. Our home is transformed from one in the middle of the mad dash to Christmas Eve to a warm glowing tabernacle of tranquility.
It gives us a sense of belonging and a sense of security to each year explain the meaning of the Advent wreath. To explain to young ears that as the days grow shorter and darker, the Advent Wreath grows brighter until finally at the very time of the year when days are the darkest, the Advent Wreath is at it’s brightest and the Christ Candle is lit to celebrate the Promised One.
I guess this is truly what a tradition is. We do not know when it started or why. What we do know is that if it ever ceased to be we would miss it and be all the poorer for it. May God bless our traditions and keep them close to our hearts.
- Dan
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