Last Sunday, we celebrated the first Sunday of Advent and the start of a new liturgical year. Advent marks the monthlong preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ, a time when Christians are called to pray and reflect on the importance of the coming of our Savior into the world. A popular symbol of Advent is a wreath surrounded by candles that are lit on the four Sundays leading up to Christmas.

Each of these candles focusses on a different virtue. The first two purple candles stand for hope and love, the pink candle for joy, and the fourth purple candle for peace. Throughout the season, one option for increasing time in prayer is by focusing on the particular candle for each week. Just like at the start of a new calendar year, Catholics can make “resolutions” that will draw them closer to Christ. One easy, simple method of prayer is reflecting on questions, such as the ones below, that draw our minds back to the true purpose of Advent.

Week 1: Hope

What are some areas that you hope to grow in throughout the coming year? How will you commit yourself to turning your hopes and aspirations into reality?

Week 2: Love

How often do you offer prayers of thanksgiving to God for the things you love? If a relationship is suffering, how can you love the person enough to get through it?

Week 3: Joy

Have there been times when you focused too much on the negative and lessened the joy of others? How can you see God in the simple, everyday joys?

Week 4: Peace

Where in your life do you need peace? How can God help you get the peace you desire?

While it can be tempting to be drawn in by secular Christmas celebrations and gift giving, we must also find time for quiet prayer and conversation with God. He wants us to appreciate all the blessings we have because of Him, and praying for an increase of hope, love, joy, and peace is the perfect way to do that for the remainder of this new liturgical year.