Behold, the Advent Wreath!
Recently, we heard mass at the tomb of the late Dr. Bobong Yap at the Victoria Memorial Park commemorating his 2nd death anniversary. By “we”, I mean some of my classmates. There were just three (3) from our class who were present since most of our classmates have passed on: Josef Piquerro, Ricardo Yap, Bobong, Erlinda, Carolina, Esperanza, and Socorro Mendoza. We are now dwindling in numbers. So we have more reasons to be together more often while we still can and savour the precious moments.
While attending that mass, I recalled our orientation into the advent wreath when I was still new at St. Joseph College of Tagbilaran that used to be run by the S.Sp.S. sisters. And the priest who celebrated the mass had an inspiring homily.
Then I asked Daya (Dr. Bobong Yap’s wife), the symbolism of the four candles on the wreath and why is it that there is one candle whose color is different from the other three (3). And why was Daya the key person to my question? It’s because she was the champion in the Religion contest for the BIDSAL, Bohol level meet and the CIDAL, regional level meet which was held in Cebu. This competition was participated in by different representatives from the private schools in the province of Bohol, and later in the region of Central Visayas. All these happened during our high school days.
True enough, she had a speedy answer to my question. She said: “The most common Advent candle tradition, involves four candles around the wreath. A new candle is lit on each of the four Sundays before Christmas. Each candle represents something different, although traditions vary. Often, the first, second, and fourth candles are purple; the third candle is rose-colored. Sometimes all the candles are red; in other traditions, all four candles are blue or white. Occasionally, a fifth white candle is placed in the middle of the wreath and is lit on Christmas Day to celebrate Jesus’ birth.”
Everyone has his own meaning of Christmas, including the way it is celebrated. Whatever it is, everything boils down to one thing: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him may not perish but may have life everlasting.”
May I be the first one to usher you into the Christmas Season?
