One of the most important images of Advent is light. Advent ends with the Gospel proclamation that includes this portion of the Canticle of Zechariah: “The dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:78-79). Advent ends with the breaking of the dawn, but it begins with the lighting of a tiny flame on a single purple candle. As small and insignificant as this flame may appear in the darkness, it is full of hope. Anyone who has ever climbed up the slopes of Mount Hood at one o’clock in the morning knows how important even the tiniest flicker of light can be. You know you are on the right path. You know you are not alone. That’s what the first Advent candle represents. It brings light of hope into a dark world. It is the reminder of a promise that has been kept and will be kept again. We are not alone. Christ came into the world once and he will come into the world again. -Fr. Brent Crowe