It’s ludicrous to think that each year I go through the same routine, with the same outcome and yet, grow no smarter. My story goes something like this. I want to get candles for the following year, so I take advantage of the after Christmas sales. I place them in a spot I know I will remember eleven months later. I may come across them once or twice in the summer months, and think to myself, “aha- they’re right there.” But by the time late November rolls around, and I am comfortable in the knowledge that I already purchased my candles, comes hide and seek time. My candles are now missing in action. They’ve disappeared, as far as I can tell. I’ll search in all the usual places. I may discover stubs from years past, but not so much as an empty box or wick of the new candles. So, it’s back out into what’s now, the crazy Christmas shopping season. Anyone who misplaced their advent candles, has already repurchased and ruined any possibility of me finding a purple or pink candle. I’ve had to get creative over the years using purple or pink bows on white candles, or in futility, sharpies, which by the way, don’t adhere to the wax.

Sure enough, in January, I know I’ll come across those darn candles, because it happens every year.

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. Do I know where my purchased candles are? No. My mother, knowing my pathetic state, gave me a set last week to help me out. Do I know where I put those? No. Did we mistake them for Popsicles and eat them last summer? It’s hard to say.

I don’t know if there is some cosmic mischievous elf lurking in our home messing with my Advent every year, but this is getting old; and so am I.

I have a couple hours before dinner and I’m going to turn the place upside down. I know there has to be a secret cache of Advent candles someplace and I won’t have to buy replacements until death do I part. I just need to find them first!!!

Happy first Sunday of Advent to you and yours. Here is a great resource to help prepare us for Advent. We love listening to Fr. Mark Toups, he offers meaningful meditations that get to the heart of, “the reason for the season.”

May your Advent be filled with prayerful preparations and peace. And may all my lost candles be found in time to light tonight. AMEN.