Halfway through Advent

A friend dropped in the other day with his Advent wreath, all a fuss about not starting it up on time; missing a week.  He told us about growing up in the middle west and how on the first Sunday morning of advent his church's women's groups sold the wreaths and candles after the service and they always made just enough for everyone, planning ahead to give ones away to those who couldn't afford it.  We liked that story, particularly about the ones who couldn't afford it.

Just to fill us in some, Advent wreaths are four candles, one for each Sunday before Christmas and then one extra for Christmas evening. Christians and Jews certainly have the countdown in candles in common this time of year and we like that plenty; this countdown thing. 

Fact is, we like the anticipation that countdowns bring.  In talking about it in the shop, we concluded that with each candle lit brought us a little closer to somehow being a better person.  The church women making extra wreaths to give to those would were in need was somehow the center of our thoughts.

Good thoughts. Countdown is on. Clock's ticking. Do something nice for someone before they ask for it. Surprise 'em.