A Sign of Hope

Over the years Jeff and I have received many interesting (and tasty) mail order gifts from Hickory Farms, Swiss Colony, and Harry and David. Each of these has brought delight to our family, but today we came home to a box of a different sort. Jeff's sister sent us a lovely holiday wreath made from fresh evergreen boughs. The moment we opened the box, the scent of Christmas began to fill our kitchen, and since we want to continue enjoying that fragrance, we hung it on the pantry door.

This is the first time we've ever had a fresh wreath for the holidays. Each year I look at them as we drive by the Christmas tree lots or watch as a QVC host touts the suppleness of the greenery, but I've never purchased one. In my book, purchasing a fresh wreath is akin to buying cut flowers. They are lovely and sumptuous treats, but not something a girl buys for herself. They denote special occasions and festivities. However, I'm discovering that this wonderful wreath may be just what the doctor ordered for the end of semester blues. Each time I pass it, my hands move out (seemingly of their own volition) to touch its velvety boughs. The slight stickiness of the sap clings to my fingers, along with the pine scent, and reminds me of family and home. The simplicity of this gift seems to exude hope.

Of course, that is the purpose of a holiday wreath - to symbolize hope. The circle with no beginning and no end has held deep meaning for thousands of years. The ancient Greeks and Romans used wreaths to signify victory. In addition, they brought evergreen boughs into their homes to celebrate winter festivals and as a reminder of nature's vitality. They also exchanged sprigs of holly to symbolize good fortune and prosperity in the coming year. 

The pre-Christian Germanic people used wreaths to liven up dark dreary winters. The evergreen boughs represented the coming spring while other plants - like holly and mistletoe - not only survive the harshest cold, but flourish and prosper in it - truly a magnificent feat! These traditions were incorporated into the Christian religion with the added symbolism of the wreath as everlasting life. By the 16th century Christians had added candles to create the advent wreath, counting down the weeks to the coming of Christ, the Light of the World. Traditionally advent wreaths have three purple and one rose colored candle. The purple candles represent hope, peace, and love, while the rose candle represents joy. The warmth of the candlelight combined with the fresh greenery provided comfort and the hope of spring on the longest nights of the year.

In many ways, the wreath we hung today does the same for us. It is a reminder of the eternal within us all and a symbol of endurance. With North and South Korea on the brink of war, an economy continuing to falter leading to further budget cuts for education, and the knowledge that many people in the world are cold and hungry, this bit of life bids us to carry on - working cheerfully through the darkness.