I went to Mass right after my shift. Good thing I saw the Advent wreath the moment I entered the church or else I would've completely forgotten that it's already the season of Advent.
I kept staring at the Advent wreath not because it stood out or it looked comely, but because it looked like a funeral wreath. Yes, you read it right. A funeral wreath.
My attention was drawn to the Advent wreath. I couldn't focus. I knew that it had to mean something. The celebration ended and I was still staring at it. I was thinking that an Advent wreath should symbolize the beginning of something (if you think I have forgotten my Latin, think again. Advent comes from adventus, meaning coming). But instead of reminding me the start of something new, it reminded me about the finality of things. Then it hit me: since there is a start, there is also an end. The funeral slash Advent wreath reminded me that all things come to an end, but we know for a fact that death is not the final word. Maybe that's why the Advent wreath is green and circular. There is always hope. I remember the young woman who lost her mother during Yolanda's rage, but in the midst of death, the young woman gave birth. She might've lost someone, but there was the new born child. Let me quote what my friend, Bro. Donnie, mentioned during the November 17 episode of Langit sa Lupa: "May dahilan pa rin para magdiwang dahil may buhay sa gitna ng kawalan."
I realized that Advent not only reminds us of the beginning but also the end of things, but in the proper context. Since we all know that there is an end to everything, we need to be prepared. Who knows, you might suddenly die of a heart attack after reading this post. Doctors can diagnose what your sickness is, but they cannot tell until when you will live. We don't have expiration dates stamped on our foreheads. Just prepare.We don't know until when we'll be here.
I looked at the Advent wreath again before leaving the church. Much to my surprise, the wreath looked lovely. It looked different. I guess when you see things beyond their looks, you'll have a much better perspective about it.
Tingin tingin din 'pag may time.
I kept staring at the Advent wreath not because it stood out or it looked comely, but because it looked like a funeral wreath. Yes, you read it right. A funeral wreath.
I realized that Advent not only reminds us of the beginning but also the end of things, but in the proper context. Since we all know that there is an end to everything, we need to be prepared. Who knows, you might suddenly die of a heart attack after reading this post. Doctors can diagnose what your sickness is, but they cannot tell until when you will live. We don't have expiration dates stamped on our foreheads. Just prepare.We don't know until when we'll be here.
I looked at the Advent wreath again before leaving the church. Much to my surprise, the wreath looked lovely. It looked different. I guess when you see things beyond their looks, you'll have a much better perspective about it.
Tingin tingin din 'pag may time.
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