Meant to post this last night. Yesterday (30th Nov) was the first Sunday in advent (coming from adventus, the Latin for arrival), the period when we prepare for Christmas and the birthday of Jesus. We light red candles on an advent wreath on the 4 Sundays leading up to Christmas, the candles signifying love, peace, joy and hope. There is a 5th white candle in the middle which is the Christ candle and is lit after midnight just into Christmas day.
Do you guys do this in America?
I hope you and your families feel hope, peace, love and joy this advent and send you best wishes for Christmas and 2009.