“Light one candle for hope,
One bright candle for hope,
He brings hope to every heart,
He comes! He comes!”
A blessed Advent to all, it’s a new year in the Church! This sacred season invites us to prepare our hearts and homes for the coming of Christ, the Light of the World. Together with the whole Church, the Young Children’s Community is joyfully entering into the spirit of anticipation and preparation for the feast of Our Lord’s birth.
From the moment the children arrived, we marked the beginning of Advent with a meaningful procession, introducing them to the new liturgical season. Our prayer table was lovingly prepared to reflect the season, adorned with a purple tablecloth (symbolizing preparation), an Advent wreath with 4 candles (3 purple and 1 rose), flowers, the Holy Bible, a statue of Mary, and the First Prophecy card.
The toddlers are captivated by the changes in their sacred space, especially the vibrant purple on the prayer table and the carefully arranged Advent wreath. This week, we lit the first purple candle, a candle of hope. The children were introduced to the idea of God’s promise to His people, a promise of a great gift that would bring light to the world. They heard how the people of God waited for this promise with faith and trust, guided by prophets who loved God deeply. These prophets prayed with their whole hearts and minds, listening to God’s whispers and sharing clues about the great gift to come.
During our time together, the children heard the words of Isaiah’s prophecy “The people who walked in darkness have seen a Great Light.” These words filled the room with silence and awe. After the prayer service, some children remained near the prayer table. Some were drawn to its beauty, intrigued by the candles and wreath; others explored the figures of the Holy Family and the Good Shepherd. Some picked up the Holy Bible and sat quietly.
As we continue our Advent journey, the Young Children’s Community will light an additional candle on the wreath each week, symbolizing the growing light as we move closer to the birth of Jesus. Together, we will hear more clues from the prophets, sing songs of the season, and hear more stories of people who prepared their hearts for God’s greatest gift. In this time of waiting and preparation, we are reminded that we are also called to be a light for others. Let us ponder how we can share hope, peace, joy, and love as we prepare our hearts for the arrival of the Greatest Light, Jesus Christ, at Christmas.