YEAR-ROUND CHRISTMAS: Long-awaited Advent Wreath Chandelier

For years I’ve wanted to share this post with you. Literally . . . years.

When we bought our first old house to restore in 2005, we discovered a huge brass Advent wreath left behind amidst (a few) treasures and (a lot of) trash. I loved it, but it was far too large to be used for its intended purpose in a typical home.

Through observation and research, I learned the special piece was made in Israel in the late 1960s by the Terra Sancta Guild, likely for a church or chapel. It was intended to be suspended and would have hung from an ornate chain.

Over the years, I contacted a few churches in our community in attempts to donate it, but I always met with a dead end. The congregations already had their own Advent wreaths, most eagerly sharing how their wreath came to be part of their church’s story.

And so, for over a decade, I stored the cast-off treasure under the guest bed.

While designing the farmhouse that wasn’t, creativity struck, and I decided to turn the seasonal treasure into a one-of-a-kind showstopper for either the living room or master bedroom. Both were to have vaulted ceilings, and I still get wistful thinking how gorgeous the sacred chandelier would have looked from across the room—or first thing in the morning.

Nevertheless . . . the small-town Victorian we bought to restore two years ago has no beautiful vaults, but it does have 10-foot ceilings. And the trying-to-look-old-but-really-looks-new light fixture in the entry really needed to be replaced.

Last week, the Advent wreath-turned-chandelier found its new home.

Entry hall progress

Inspiration board and still-to-do list

I could simply chalk this up to renovation progress, but hanging this Advent wreath means so much more to me than that. From the first time I read them, the beautifully-enameled words around its perimeter spoke to me.

Behold the Lord shall make the glory of His voice to be heard in the joy of your heart.

Read that again, won’t you? It’s packed full of hope and promise. . .

Truthfully, I chose to hang this wreath in my home not because it’s unique or beautiful or almost as vintage as me—all true—but because I need to see those words every day. I need to imprint them on my heart, to meditate on their mysteries, to interact with (not just acknowledge) the daily coming of the Lord of Advent.

Advent Past

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son . . .

Repeated annually in commemoration and celebration—with gratitude and awe. Behold the coming of the Christmas Babe whose arrival changed the course of history and brought Hope to all mankind.

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned.  (Isaiah 9:2)

Advent Present

. . . that whoever believes in him shall not perish . . .

Come, Lord Jesus, into our jumbled mess of “all things 2020.” This place where loss and grief stand side-by-side with new beginnings and celebrations. Where loneliness and disappointment are as real as gratitude and reverence.

Stand beside us as we try to make sense of this holiday season with its head-need of distance and heart-need of touch. Comfort our hearts when loved ones are missing around our tables—and our bellies when tables are bare.

Hear our groans for normalcy, certainty, and stability in these days that are anything but certain. Remind us, teach us, that you and you alone are dependable in times of longsuffering—and in times of lightheartedness when we too often fail even to notice your presence.

Dry our tears when love for family is strong but relationships are fragile. When old hurts and choices overlay today, and our best efforts to connect still fall short. When hope is hard and giving up appealing.

Come, Lord Jesus, into our roller coaster lives. Come into our laughter and joy—our insecurities and heartaches. Join us where we are. Meet our needs and the needs of our neighbors worldwide—physical, emotional, spiritual—for they are many . . . and only you know the path to peace.

Hear our prayer, oh Babe now grown. Give us courage to try again, to squelch impatience, to replace self-focus with eyes and hearts for others. May our human tendencies be graced and transformed by your divine love, and may we not miss your tender care this holy season.

Thank you, Creator God, for seeing each of us, faults and all, yet loving us enough, both individually and corporately, to send your son. For giving each of us the opportunity to believe that you truly have our best interest at heart, even when we can’t see it. For being Peace in the midst of chaos and Truth that stands firm.

Come quickly, Lord Jesus, for we are weary and troubled. We desperately need to feel your presence at the core of our beings. We don’t want to be alone. We need to hear your glorious voice. We need our hearts to heal. We need to experience and overflow with joy. May it be so today—and every day.

Behold the Lord shall make the glory of His voice to be heard in the joy of your heart.

Advent Future

. . . but have eternal life.

Forever loved.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Merry Christmas, dear friends. Wherever this message finds you today, may you know you are loved, valued, and prayed for. This is not the Christmas many of us wished for, but it’s the one we have. May we choose to make the very best of it!

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