One of the best parts about living all around the world is picking up new traditions along the way. After three years in Germany, it was hard notto come back with German traditions. After all, they know how to celebrate the entire Christmas season, beginning in late November and lasting until Christmas Eve.
When touring a local Christmas market during our first year there, I picked up an Advent candle holder. It's nothing fancy; after all, durability is the first thing I think about when buying something new (especially with seven moves under my belt over the last 11 years). It's a slab of wood, candles in simple gold holders, and a red silk flower in the center edged with gold glitter. It's enough to lend a bit of sparkle as the candlelight dances around the room.
The tradition is to light a candle each Sunday leading up to Christmas Eve. We will light the first candle on Dec. 1, and every Sunday until Dec. 22. My family lights them at dinner time, so we can talk about what each candle means.
According to some beliefs, each advent Sunday has a particular focus: Hope, love, joy, and peace. And while there is a faith-based way to discuss each of them, I also appreciate the secular application, particularly when living this military life.
Read more about how to spread peace, love, joy, and hope over at armywifenetwork.com.
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