Dearest friends,
This Sunday we will light the first candle of five on our Advent Wreath, but why do we do this?
Whilst lighting candles to represent the light of God in the world is a very old Christian tradition, the idea of an Advent Candle Wreath is a relatively modern one.
In fact it only goes back to the early 1800s and – no big surprise here – comes from Germany (as indeed most of our modern Christmas traditions).
In 1839 Johann Hinrich Wichern, a pastor in Germany, built a wreath out of an old cartwheel to help the children in his mission school count the days until Christmas.
He added small candles to be lit every weekday and Saturday during Advent, and on Sundays, a large white candle was lit.
There is evidence of this practice going on much earlier in Germany – right the way back to the 16th century, but it wasn’t until the 1800s that we saw what we may recognise as the modern wreath.
In many ways this was the precursor to both the Advent Calendar (no chocolate then!) and the Advent Candle Wreath that we light each Sunday.
We light the first candle for the Prophets which represent the Hope of the world. The second candle is for Faith, the third for Joy and the fourth – Peace. The central white candle is lit at Midnight Mass on Christmas Day.
Each week I’ll explain a little more about the candles and what they represent at the start of mass.
I’m looking forward to travelling with you this Advent and preparing to meet Jesus on Christmas Day.
In love,
Fr. Matthew
Notices
First Advent Lecture
This Thursday (27th) – a talk on the history of the anglo-catholic movement in the church of England with a particular emphasis on Devon (7pm, Wickham Hall). This talk will be repeated in St. Luke’s on the 26th January. Next week – Assisted Suicide Talk.
Joint Mass THIS week
Advent 1 is a joint mass (as it’s the 5th Sunday) at St. Luke’s at 11:15am. If you want to get a head start on the new mass setting come along at 11am when Clive and I will do a quick run through.
Bay Brass Band Concert
Sadly, Bay Brass Band have been in touch this week to let me know they’ve not been able to secure enough players for their concert at St. Luke’s and have very sadly had to cancel it.
Christmas Explorers
It would be wonderful if you could find time to come to Explorers on the afternoon of the 7th. We’re expecting a lot of people as there’ll be a special visit from a certain St. Nicholas! Any help would be very much appreciated. 3-5pm
Sunday 30th November
1st Sunday of Advent 🟣
11am – Rehearsal of new mass setting [SL]
11:15am – Joint Sung Parish Mass [SL]
3pm – Advent Carols with the Dartmouth Phoenix
Choristers, mulled wine & a warm welcome
assured! [SL]
4pm – Said Evensong with Adoration & Benediction [SJ]
Psalter Week 1, A(II), Advent 1
Upcoming Dates
November
27th – Advent Course, 1st lecture, 7pm, [WH]
30th – Joint Mass, St. Luke’s, 11am [SL]
Advent Carols, 3pm [SL]
Said Evensong with Adoration & Benediction
December
7th – Explorers & Christingle, 3-5pm [SC]
20th – 9 Lessons & Carols, 6pm, both churches
21st – Christingle & Crib Service, 3-5pm [SL]
Solemn Evensong with Benediction, 7pm [SJ]
24th – Live Nativity, 4pm [SJ]
Midnight Mass, 8pm [SJ]
Midnight Mass, 11:30pm [SL]
25th – Christmas Day Mass, 10am [SL & SJ]
January
24th – Rosary Group, 10am [SL]
26th – History of the Anglo Catholics Talk, 6pm [SL]
Table Top Sale at Wickham Hall every 3rd Saturday at 10am.
St. Luke’s Women’s Group meets first Wednesday of every month.
[SJ] St. John’s | [SL] St. Luke’s | [WH] Wickham Hall
[SC] St. Catherine’s School