The History of the Advent Wreath

By Susan G Mathis


Advent invites us to slow down—a countercultural act in a season obsessed with hurry and consumption. It teaches holy waiting—not passive delay, but an active posture of faith. Lighting each candle becomes a ritual of reflection, a chance to quiet the noise, read Scripture, and rekindle hope.

Since the 19th century, the Advent wreath has been a center of connection for many. Each week’s lighting can be accompanied by a short reading or prayer, drawing hearts together in anticipation and gratitude.

Evergreens symbolize everlasting life, even in the dead of winter. Candles bring light into darkness, representing Christ, the Light of the World.

Historically, the Advent wreath holds four candles—three purple and one pink—arranged in a circle, with an optional white “Christ candle” in the center. Each candle tells part of the Christmas story:

The First Candle – Hope (Prophet’s Candle) Lit on the first Sunday of Advent, it symbolizes the prophets’ anticipation of the Messiah and reminds us to place our hope in God’s promises.

The Second Candle – Peace (Bethlehem Candle) This candle represents peace and preparation, recalling Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and the longing for a Savior.

The Third Candle – Joy (Shepherd’s Candle) The pink candle, lit on the third Sunday, celebrates the joy that breaks through waiting—because the Lord’s coming is near.

The Fourth Candle – Love (Angel’s Candle) The final candle represents God’s love revealed through the birth of Jesus and the message of peace proclaimed by the angels.

Lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, the white candle stands for purity and the arrival of the Light of the World.

In a world of instant gratification, Advent reminds us that some of the best gifts are worth waiting for. It shifts our focus from shopping lists to soul care, from busy schedules to sacred stillness.

In my newest novel, Irish Rose Orphans’ Christmas, seven young women experience a Christmas that changes everything. As they experience Advent and prepare their hearts for a deeper calling, each young woman must face the truth of her past and the hope of her future.

How has an Advent Wreath touched your life? Leave your answer or comments on the post below and join me on the 19th for my next post.

ABOUT IRISH ROSE ORPHANS’ CHRISTMAS:

Seven young women experience their last Christmas together before stepping into lives of service. United by trials and an unbreakable bond, they’ve pledged to remain “forever sisters.” But as the season of parting approaches, buried wounds rise to the surface. When Sister Rose invites the girls to prepare their hearts during Advent for a deeper calling, each young woman must face the truth of her past and the hope of her future. This Christmas, seven orphans will discover that no matter where life leads them, love and faith will go with them.

ABOUT SUSAN:

Susan G Mathis is an international award-winning, multi-published author of stories set in the beautiful Thousand Islands in upstate NY. Susan has been published more than thirty times in full-length novels, novellas, and non-fiction books. She has sixteen in her fiction line. Susan is also a published author of two premarital books, stories in a dozen compilations, and hundreds of published articles. Susan lives in Northern Virginia and enjoys traveling the world. Visit www.SusanGMathis.com/fiction for more.

Ho-Ho-Heist

 by Tom Goodman

On December 23, 1927, a brazen heist shook Texas. Marshall Ratliff — an ex-convict bent on easy money— enlisted three men to help him rob his hometown bank in Cisco--a town in Eastland County between Abilene and Fort Worth.  

To hide his identity from neighbors who would have recognized him, he pulled on a Santa Claus suit. Thus the Associated Press dubbed it “The Santa Claus Bank Robbery.” 

Ratliff had his men drop him several blocks from the bank. They parked the getaway car in the alley while their disguised leader strolled toward the bank, trailed by children begging for candy and last-minute wishes. He shooed them off and stepped inside. Moments later, his gang followed.

Once inside, the guns came out. Pistols raised, the men ordered the teller to fill a sack with cash and bonds. Customers and employees became hostages—including two fourth-grade girls.

The plan collapsed fast. Armed townspeople surrounded the building, and gunfire cut through the winter air. Using the hostages as shields, the gang fought its way through the alley, bundled the two girls into the car, and roared off. Cisco’s police chief and a deputy lay mortally wounded behind them.

The escape unraveled. Their car was damaged, the tank was nearly dry, and they tried to carjack another vehicle. In the scramble, they unintentionally left the loot behind — $12,400 in cash and $150,000 in securities. Once outside town, the gang ditched their car, leaving the girls unharmed, and fled into the countryside. A week-long manhunt — the largest in Texas history at the time — brought the fugitives in.

Ratliff landed on death row but found ways to keep stalling his execution, even feigning insanity to angle for a transfer to a state asylum. Before that hearing could take place, he tried to break out of the Eastland County Jail and killed a beloved deputy in the process. 

The citizens of Eastland County finally had enough of their ne’er-do-well neighbor. The next night — November 19, 1929 — a mob forced its way into the jail, dragged him out, and hanged him from a telephone pole guywire. 

For years, Eastland, Texas, carried the grim nickname “The Town that Hung Santa Claus.”

What became of the Santa Claus bandit's accomplices? Louis Davis was mortally wounded in the bank shootout and died of his wounds on Christmas Day 1927. Henry Helms went to the electric chair two months before Ratliff was lynched. Robert “Bobby” Hill, the youngest, received a life sentence and spent years attempting escapes from prison work farms.

Then something unexpected happened: Bobby Hill had a Christian conversion. 

His life change was noticeable. The governor granted him a conditional pardon in 1945, and Hill built a quiet, steady life. When Hill died in 1996 in his nineties, he had been a married, churchgoing model citizen for half a century.

In a tale packed with disguises, gunfire, and vigilante vengeance, Hill’s redemption remains the best plot twist of all!

(Thanks to Lightner Creative for the graphic that accompanies this post. It appeared in "From Christmas Robbery to Redemption," an article in the Southern Baptist Texan about my award-winning book based on the true crime.)

Music Evangelist Ira Sankey Obedience Became A Christmas Miracle

 

Ira Sankey was a well-known musical evangelist during the 19^th century. A self-taught song leader and choir director, his perfect pitch and commanding baritone, gained the attention of the famous evangelist D. L. Moody. He invited, no insisted Ira come as his song leader on his evangelistic tours. A great opportunity that might not have been if not for the hand of God.

 During the Civil war Ira was taking his turn on the picket line (guard duty) in Sharpsburg, Maryland. Staying a wake was often a challenge, and for some reason known only to God, Ira broke out into song. Never a smart idea if you are supposed to be watching for the enemy. He finished his hymn, and his shift ended without any incident.

God's Hand Revealed

Eight years later, he and his wife were on a steamboat during the Christmas holiday on their way to see family. The passengers recognized him as the singing evangelist and ask Ira to sing a carol. After a moment of prayer he instead stand Saviour Like a Shepherd Lead Us. The verses encapsulate a heart of surrender to serve the Lord.

 When the song ended a man approached him. He asked Mr. Sankey if he served in thw Union army, in Maryland around 1860? He confirmed that he had. The story he man told stunned Ira.

The former confederate soldier shared how he had been a sharp-shooter and had spied Sankey standing guard. He watched him through his gun scope and was about to take his shot when Ira began to sing. He figured he'd let the man finish his song. The verse that captured him most.

We are thine, do thou befriend us.

Be the guardian of our ways. 

The soldier relaxed his hold on his rifle while the hymn brought back memories of his childhood and his dear godly mother who often sang that song. He couldn't pull the trigger. For years, those words circled his heart. He'd been searching for that peace since the day Mr. Sankey sang on the picket line. The soldier asked if Ira might help him. Ira hugged his former enemy and led him to the peace he sought.  Mr. Sankey's ministry had been arranged long before Mr. Moody asked him to join him.

If not for that hymn Ira would have been a dead soldier. If not for that song the confederate soldier would have never found peace. And if not for that song, Ira would have missed his calling to bring the gospel to the world. He was often called the singing evangelist. He sang each word with perfect diction and deep emotions, often his songs touched the heart more deeply than any sermons. Here is a link to an old recording of Ira Sankey singing his most often requested song the Ninety and Nine. The recording doesn't begin to capture the beauty of his voice. 

https://youtu.be/mbcWklq12nk

Have you ever heard of Ira Sankey or sang any of his hymns?

Cindy Ervin Huff, is a multi-published award-winning author in Historical and Contemporary Romance.  She’s a 2018 Selah Finalist. Cindy has a passion to encourage other writers on their journey. When she isn’t writing, she feeds her addiction to reading and enjoys her retirement with her husband of 50 plus years, Charles. Visit her at www.cindyervinhuff.com.