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The Final Candles of the Christmas Advent Prayer Wreath
Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.
Hamilton Wright Mabie
Today is the final Sun Day before Christmas, for those of you counting down to this happy holiday.
And then, of course, that magical morning so beloved by Christendom arrives tomorrow.
Thus, tonight at dusk, you will light the fourth candle of your wreath. In many denominations, the fourth candle may represent Peace, or Purity.
For those lighting candles for Christmas, your final candle in our wreath circle will be the one in the Center. It is nearly universally considered the Christ Candle.
Opinions vary as to whether it should be lit at midnight tonight, or first thing Christmas morning (tomorrow). So that is completely up to your preference.
With its light, may you honor the Bringer of Light, and vow to renew your own part in the ancient promise of faith, hope, and love that was given on this most holy night.
For we all can agree that the greatest of these is love.
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Although many of you have probably seen it before, for me, one of the great pleasures of this time out of time is to hear oft-repeated stories. So keep scrolling down, as I offer my yearly once-upon-a-time tale.
I hope it will inspire you, whatever your beliefs may be, for it is a powerful spell of transformation and abundance. This has been my own tradition on Christmas Eve for many years. Join with me. Share with others!
Love and joy come to you,
~ Beth
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There are two ways of spreading light; to be
The candle or the mirror that reflects it.
~ Edith Wharton
This will cost between 10 and 30 or so dollars. More, of course, if you want. Start slowly if you wish, but I would not be surprised if, in coming years, the amount you decide to spend moves up and up. I know it really has for me!
It’s very simple. Here’s how it began.
Once upon a time, many years ago now, by pure coincidence (yeah, right!), I was shopping for a cheap shower curtain liner at one of those dollar stores, in a neighborhood I don’t usually frequent. It just happened to be the afternoon of Christmas Eve.
I couldn’t help but notice who was shopping in that dollar store toy department on Christmas Eve: people who were desperate; people who were clearly scraping together everything they had for that last minute chance to make their children smile. People struggling against overwhelming odds.
Sure, maybe not everyone in the store. But most. Without a doubt.
So, I got a crazy idea. I happened (oh, yes, just another coincidence!) to have a bunch of one dollar bills in my wallet. I surreptitiously pulled them out, and started tucking each one here and there among the toys.
Not so hidden that someone might not find them, but not too obvious, either.
I deliberately skipped over the guns and violence-promoting toys. I didn’t stick them inside books, since I felt that the odds would be fairly low for that particular book to be picked up, and the money put to use.
And, oh yes, I was also a bit concerned that my sneaky behavior might be interpreted as shop-lifting, instead of shop-putting. So I was careful not to act too suspiciously.
After I planted my money, I paid for my shower curtain and left. I do not recommend hanging around to see the results. That would come much too close to stroking the ego. Plus, I believe it’s best at that point to hand the rest of the job over to Mystery.
In fact, I highly recommend the secrecy of it. Until a few years ago, when I began sharing it here with you, I had only told two people ever about my annual Christmas Eve errand.
I have decided to let you in on my secret, because wouldn’t it be fun if magical mystery miracle money started appearing in lots of places, on a day when families could sure use it.
Over the years, my investment has increased, and I include fives and tens when I can. I also have started placing some near the infants’ clothing, the kids’ coats, the shoes, and other necessities.
I know that every dollar, even if it is only found much later by a clerk doing inventory, is well spent.
And by the time I walk out the door, I am the wealthiest woman alive!
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