ADVENT is a season of “ waiting” and “ hoping.” Listen to this romantic story about the wisdom of waiting and hoping:

• A gentleman, with his right hand on top of his heart, proposes to a lady, and said, “I love you very much! Will you accept my love?” The lady replied, “Maybe not now. But if you can wait, I might accept your love – maybe tomorrow, next month, next year or after five years.” The gentleman answered, “With hope in my heart, I can wait – even until kingdom come!”

Hope gives the gentleman the reason to wait - forever! Throughout the ADVENT SEASON, let us hold on to that unwavering hope that made the gentleman to wait until eternity. Hope “challenges us to hide absolutely nothing from God and to surrender ourselves unconditionally to God’s mercy.” We can slowly surrender our hearts during Advent through renewal.

ADVENT is Jesus’ coming home to us, as well as our home coming to him. Its unceasing prayer is: “O come, O come EMMANUEL, and ransom captive Israel!” Its spiritual calls are: “Stay awake,” “keep a watchful eye and be prepared.” Its invitation is conversion.

ADVENT is also filled with symbols and meanings. The four candles (three purples and one pink) are placed in an Advent Wreath. “The green of the wreath speaks of the hope that we have in God… The candles symbolize the light of God coming into the world through the birth of his Son. The four candles represent the period of waiting. The light of the candles reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world that… brings newness, life and hope. The progression in the lighting of the candles symbolizes the various aspects of our waiting experience. The flame of each new candle reminds the worshippers that something is happening, and that more is yet to come.” And the best is soon to arrive!

For your personal, family or small faith community’s faith sharing, light the first candle of the SEASON of ADVENT put it in front of you or in the middle of your family or small faith community and reflect on these questions: “What are your hopes and dreams for your family, for your community and for your parish this Advent? How will you work to achieve them?”