ADVENT
The word advent stems from the latin: adventus. Meaning: coming, approaching. And from advenire: coming towards something.
To Catholics advent has the meaning that God is coming.
Advent has a double meaning:
It's the time for preparation for Christmas. The celebration of the birth of Jesus more than 2000 years ago.
It's also a time of great expectations, because it's a symbol of the waiting for the return of Jesus on earth.
The time of advent starts on the sunday 4 weeks for Christmas. That's the sunday between november 26th and december 4th.
The sundays are called the first, second, third and fourth of the advent.
It's the time of focus on the light and coming closer and closer to Christmas one understands more and more of the precious message of peace in our heart.
Like many celebrations in the Catholic church the advent is based on traditional customs of living through the dark time of winter.
Everything in life is a circle and people knew that in the old ages and still know that.
From pine branches a circle is made, and candles are attached on the four directions of the wind.
Each sunday it gets darker, and another candle is lit.
It's like it makes us aware that nature and our actions should be in balance.
Philosophical thoughts are requested during that time.
The purple ribbon that is woven through the green pine is the symbol of turning inward, of understanding the deep meaning of matters.
When we live into the dark, we are well aware of what lies behind us, and we can become aware of our mistakes and take distance from them.
The growing light can shed a new light on our lives, and thus we can change into a better person.
At Christmas the four candles are lit, and behind the wreath the light of the new year and spring glows in the dark.
It's light that surrounds us, it's the time of birth of Jesus.
It's the time we wish everybody else the best we know: peace.
Peace of mind, peace in our lifes, and peace in the world.
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