Advent? The word Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, which means arrival. During the Advent season, we reflect on the Nativity ― the birth of Christ, the coming of Christmas and also on the second coming of Christ. We do not know when it will be but we should always be alert and prepared.
Have you noticed that during the first week of Advent, when we attend mass there’s a wreath of four candles at the altar? Frankly, I knew what the wreath symbolizes, but not entirely. So I did some research about it and for some of you who like me are inquisitive, below is the explanation by Fr.William Saunders. There is also a video embedded in this article relating to the Nativity.
The History of the Advent Wreath.
FR. WILLIAM SAUNDERS
The Advent wreath is part of our long-standing Catholic tradition. However, the actual origins are uncertain. There is evidence of pre-Christian Germanic peoples using wreathes with lit candles during the cold and dark December days as a sign of hope in the future warm and extended-sunlight days of Spring. In Scandinavia during Winter, lighted candles were placed around a wheel, and prayers were offered to the god of light to turn “the wheel of the earth” back toward the sun to lengthen the days and restore warmth.
By the Middle Ages, the Christians adapted this tradition and used Advent wreathes as part of their spiritual preparation for Christmas. After all, Christ is “the Light that came into the world” to dispel the darkness of sin and to radiate the truth and love of God (cf. John 3:19-21). By 1600, both Catholics and Lutherans had more formal practices surrounding the Advent wreath.
The symbolism of the Advent wreath is beautiful. The wreath is made of various evergreens, signifying continuous life. Even these evergreens have a traditional meaning which can be adapted to our faith: The laurel signifies victory over persecution and suffering; pine, holly, and yew, immortality; and cedar, strength and healing. Holly also has a special Christian symbolism: The prickly leaves remind us of the crown of thorns, and one English legend tells of how the cross was made of holly.
The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life found in Christ. Any pine cones, nuts, or seedpods used to decorate the wreath also symbolize life and resurrection. All together, the wreath of evergreens depicts the immortality of our soul and the new, everlasting life promised to us through Christ, the eternal Word of the Father, who entered our world becoming true man and who was victorious over sin and death through His own passion, death, and resurrection.
The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent. A tradition is that each week represents one thousand years, to sum to the 4,000 years from Adam and Eve until the Birth of the Savior. Three candles are purple and one is rose. The purple candles in particular symbolize the prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices and goods works undertaken at this time.
The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, when the priest also wears rose vestments at Mass; Gaudete Sunday is the Sunday of rejoicing, because the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of Advent, when their preparation is now half over and they are close to Christmas. The progressive lighting of the candles symbolizes the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord’s first coming into the world and the anticipation of His second coming to judge the living and the dead.
The light again signifies Christ, the Light of the world. Some modern day adaptions include a white candle placed in the middle of the wreath, which represents Christ and is lit on Christmas Eve. Another tradition is to replace the three purple and one rose candles with four white candles, which will be lit throughout Christmas season.
In family practice, the Advent wreath is most appropriately lit at dinner time after the blessing of the food. A traditional prayer service using the Advent wreath proceeds as follows: On the First Sunday of Advent, the father of the family blesses the wreath, praying: O God, by whose word all things are sanctified, pour forth Thy blessing upon this wreath, and grant that we who use it may prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ and may receive from Thee abundant graces.
Who livest and reignest forever. Amen.” He then continues for each of the days of the first week of Advent, O Lord, stir up Thy might, we beg thee, and come, that by Thy protection we may deserve to be rescued from the threatening dangers of our sins and saved by Thy deliverance. Who livest and reignest forever. Amen.” The youngest child then lights one purple candle.
| By the Middle Ages, the Christians adapted this tradition and used Advent wreathes as part of their spiritual preparation for Christmas. |
During the second week of Advent, the father prays: O Lord, stir up our hearts that we may prepare for Thy only begotten Son, that through His coming we may be made worthy to serve Thee with pure minds. Who livest and reignest forever. Amen.” The oldest child then lights the purple candle from the first week plus one more purple candle.
During the third week of Advent, the father prays: O Lord, we beg Thee, incline Thy ear to our prayers and enlighten the darkness of our minds by the grace of Thy visitation. Who livest and reignest forever. Amen.” The mother then lights the two previously lit purple candles plus the rose candle.
Finally, the father prays during the fourth week of Advent, O Lord, stir up Thy power, we pray Thee, and come; and with great might help us, that with the help of Thy grace, Thy merciful forgiveness may hasten what our sins impede. Who livest and reignest forever. Amen.” The father then lights all of the candles of the wreath.
Since Advent is a time to stir-up our faith in the Lord, the wreath and its prayers provide us a way to augment this special preparation for Christmas. Moreover, this good tradition helps us to remain vigilant in our homes and not lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas.
Today is my late Dad’s birthday. It would be his 60th birthday today, I couldn’t think of a better way to commemorate this day since he’s no longer around than to share a little something about him with you.I reckon the best way to describe him is he’s a very cool person. Hardly gets angry and he’d always plan something for the weekend ― usually a day out somewhere. And we used to get so thrilled. There was once when we were all watching TV at home, I think it was roughly about 9pm when out of nowhere he suggested that we all go camping to Port Dickson. Of course my mother was startled at first but then we all coaxed her into agreeing to the idea. Soon we were all packed up and ready for a camp fire! It was so much fun and since then it was a day which we often speak about.
My dad worked as a motorman with the railways and had a deep passion for his work. He took pride in his job and tools. Speaking of tools, my brother and I were always fascinated with the tools he brings home and so we used take the tools and hide for further experiments, even though at that time we hardly knew the function of each tool. So he makes sure to keep his precious tool out of our reach at all times. But as days went by, he realized that we shared his interest and that’s when he started teaching us everything bit by bit. One other thing that we learned from him is how to take care of things well. He used to say that if you look after something well, it’ll lasts longer.
He’s really skilled as well because he knew how to fix almost anything. I think my brother and I kind of picked that up from him. Whether it was plumbing, electrical, woodwork to even fixing a car, dad could do it all. Come to think of it, we saved a lot of money on hiring handymen and mechanics. He always seems to have a solution to every problem and he had ways of making things simple. Best of all he cooks as well…So you could say he was a jack of all trades!
Now that he’s no more around I miss him, we all do but the memories we’ve shared will always remain and he will forever be in our hearts and prayers.
May God grant him eternal rest and peace….
Elleven Heaven – Church of Divine Mercy Christmas Project
Hi guys!! Sorry for not updating my blog for some time, been really busy with work and other stuffs. Church of the Divine Mercy where my wife and I mostly go to has a Christmas project every year. Like last year they are having this project called the Elleven Heaven. Basically it’s about getting eleven items for families in need during Christmas. I think this is a great idea by Rev.Fr. Paulino Miranda & the PIHDM ( Parish Integral Human Development Ministry ) for people who would like to reach out during this season of advent.
My wife and I have gotten our family involved in this project. So I thought that it would be great to get more people involved. I mean why not? I’m sure many of you are thinking of ways to do some charity this season, so here’s one way of doing it. Just to let you guys know that last year the response to this project was roughly about 480 set of hampers. So this year Fr.Paulino and the PIHDM are hoping to exceed that number. Let’s help them beat last year’s number. Below is the list of items that is required for each set of hamper. It’s convenient if you could place all the items into one big bag. That way the church doesn’t have to sort out the items because what they’ll do is just give each bag per family.
Once you got the items you could just drop by the church and place it near the church’s office or if you’re unable to go there then perhaps you can just parcel it to them directly. Kindly take notice that the closing date is on the 11th December 2011. That’s one week ahead and time is short so I suggest you better hurry up… Truthfully I should have let you know on this earlier but it only came to mind after seeing the list in my planner today. My bad…Anyway better late than never…… ( just comforting myself 
)
Here’s the list…
If you choose to parcel it, the church’s address is:
He will always make you rich enough to be generous at all times, so that many will thank God for your gifts which they receive. ( 2 Corinthians 9:11 )
Happy shopping and God bless!!
Hi guys! Sorry for not blogging lately, been busy with work. Hope you guys are doing well.We’ve just celebrated my Mum’s 58th birthday.Mothers are really special people in our lives. It is said that mothers are angles given by God to love and care for us. Although it’s belated now, I would like to wish my Mum again a very happy birthday and I’m grateful for all the love and support you’ve given me and the rest of us over the years.Mum, thank you and we thank the Lord for you.
So in conjunction with her birthday we all got together for a birthday celebration! We had a great time. Loads of fun and humor went around but still one person was missing, my one and only bro,the ever so great…Allan Quatermain! Currently he’s away in China working and he’ll be back next month for a break, so we’ll be able to do all the catching up then!
There’s always something very exhilarating about family gatherings, even if it’s a small one and I really look forward to it every time.Because amidst all the jokes and fun making and fooling around, there’s a sense of real joy and you take home some kind of brilliant residue at the end of the day.
That being said, with all the holidays that are coming up ahead, I’m really expecting more get-togethers with the family which means more fun and more food. What bliss for the body and soul. 
Cheers!
What is this principle?
10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how you react. What does this mean? We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us. We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in traffic. We have no control over this 10%. The other 90% is different.
You determine the other 90%. How? By your reaction. You cannot control a red light., but you can control your reaction. Don’t let people fool you; YOU can control how you react. Let’s take an example. You are eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what just what happened. What happens when the next will be determined by how you react. You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over.
She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and change your shirt Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready for school. She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit.
After a 15-minute delay and throwing $60 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse. You look forward to coming home, When you arrive home, you find small wedge in your relationship with your spouse and daughter.
Why? Because of how you reacted in the morning. Why did you have a bad day?
A) Did the coffee cause it?
B) Did your daughter cause it?
C) Did the policeman cause it?
D) Did you cause it?
The answer is “D”.
You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day. Here is what could have and should have happened. Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say,” It’s ok honey, you just need, to be more careful next time”. Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase, you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good the day you are having. Notice the difference? Two different scenarios.
Both started the same.
Both ended different.
Why? Because of how you REACTED. You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The other 90% was determined by your reaction.
Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 principle.
If someone says something negative about you, don’t be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You don’t have to let the negative comment affect you! React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed out etc.
How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic? Do you lose your temper? Pound on the steering wheel? A friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Do you try and bump them? WHO CARES if you arrive ten seconds later at work ? Why let the cars ruin your drive? Remember the 90/10 principle, and do not worry about it.
You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep and get irritated? It will work out Use your worrying energy and time into finding another job. The plane is late; it is going to mangle your schedule for the day. Why take out your frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on.
Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger. Why get stressed out? It will just make things worse. Now you know the 90-10 principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results. You will lose nothing if you try it. The 90-10 principle is incredible. Very few know and apply this principle. The result? Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress, trials, problems and heartache. We all must understand and apply the 90/10 principle.
The death of Jesus on the cross removed the sin barrier between us and God. Jesus died for our sins, taking our punishment on Himself. “We are the Reason” is one of my favorite Christian songs. The ultimate reason why Jesus died on the cross is to glorify God and also proof of God’s love for us.
One day while walking down the street a highly successful executive woman was tragically hit by a bus and she died. Her soul arrived up in heaven where she was met at the Pearly Gates by St. Peter. “Welcome to Heaven,” said St. Peter.
“Before you get settled in though, it seems we have a problem.You see, strangely enough, we’ve never once had an executive make it this far and we’re not really sure what to do with you.” “No problem, just let me in,” said the woman. “Well, I’d like to, but I have higher orders. What we’re going to do is let you have a day in Hell and a day in Heaven and then you can choose whichever one you want to spend an eternity in.” “Actually, I think I’ve made up my mind…I prefer to stay in Heaven,” said the woman.
“Sorry, we have rules…” And with that St. Peter put the executive in an elevator and it went down to hell. The doors opened and she found herself stepping out onto the putting green of a beautiful golf course. In the distance was a country club and standing in front of her were all of her friends and they were all dressed in fine evening wear and cheering for her. They ran up and kissed her on both cheeks and they talked about old times. They played an excellent round of golf and at night went to the country club where she enjoyed an excellent steak and lobster dinner.
She met the Devil who was actually a really nice guy and she had a great time telling jokes and dancing. She was having such a good time that before she knew it, it was time to leave. Everybody shook her hand and waved good-bye as she got on the elevator. The elevator went back up to the Pearly Gates and found St. Peter.”Now it’s time to spend a day in heaven,” he said. So she spent the next 24 hours lounging around on clouds and playing the harp and singing. She had a great time and before she knew it her 24 hours were up and St. Peter came and got her.
“So, you’ve spent a day in hell and you’ve spent a day in heaven.Now you must choose your eternity,” he said. The woman paused for a second and then replied, “Well, I never thought I’d say this, I mean, Heaven has been really great and all, but I think I had a better time in Hell.” So St. Peter escorted her to the elevator and again she went back to Hell. When the doors of the elevator opened she found herself standing in a desolate wasteland covered in garbage and filth. She saw her friends were dressed in rags and were picking up the garbage and putting it in sacks.
The Devil came up to her and put his arm around her. “I don’t understand,” stammered the woman, “yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and a country club and we ate lobster and we danced and had a great time. Now all there is a wasteland of garbage and all my friends look miserable.” The Devil looked at her and smiled.”Yesterday we were recruiting you. Today you’re staff.”
Today is a special day for my lovely wife and me. Why? It’s because today we met for the first time nine years ago. The first time I saw her, I knew for sure that she’ll be my wife one day. And with God’s grace it came true. Every day is a blessing as we go through life together.
Coincidently also today is my sister Pricilla’s birthday. So it’s a double celebration! I’m not going to disclose her age, or else she hunt me down I think. Wishing her a very happy birthday and God bless always!
I read a good refection today and I would like to share it with you all.
Reflecting on how we think and act
Today’s psalm reminds us to live authentically. To walk with integrity in our hearts is to “walk our talk”. This is the day to reflect on how we act, or do not act, out of our core believes and values.
How transparent are we? Do we believe one thing and do another? Do we want change for ourselves and our world but fail to do something about it? Do we criticize what someone else says or does and then say or do it ourselves?
Daily discernment (reflecting on how we live and act) is essential for integrity. Each day we glance over our day to see what has motivated us and how we responded. Were our thoughts, attitudes and actions congruent with what we believe? Then we ask the big question: How does all this fare in the life of gospel teaching? By Sr. Joyce Rupp, O.S.M.
This reflection made me to think about the many times we don’t lead by example. It’s quite a challenge when we have to think and act at the same time. Because most of the time we act first then think. I believe that this is why we often fall when it comes to our relationships with God, family and community.
As tempting as it is to react quickly to every negative approach, I’ve come to learn that it’s crucial to think before we act as Sr. Joyce puts it. May our actions always reflect our teachings. Every day is a learning process… God Bless.
One of the most common questions we ask is, “What I need to do to receive the blessings of God?” We usually think to ourselves: “I have been praying, reading my Bible, going to church,and doing offerings yet I don’t seem to be able to get my prayers answered.” In that question and explanation lies the root of the problem: We have fallen into the trap of linking God’s response to our performance. We have not properly understood the balance of grace and faith and our relationships with each other.
Therefore, the good news is, grace has nothing to do with us. Grace existed before we ever came to be. Grace is God’s part. Faith is defined as being a positive response to what God has already provided by grace. In other words, faith is our positive response to God’s grace. Therefore, faith is our part.
Grace and faith work together, and they must be in balance.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says,“For it is by God’s grace that you have been saved through faith.It is not the result of your own efforts, but God’s gift, so that no one can boast about it.
