As the Christmas season draws near, we enter a sacred time known as Advent, a season of waiting, preparation and wonder. Advent invites us to pause in the middle of our busy lives and remember the incredible gift God promised the world: a Savior. Long before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, people waited with hope, trusting that God would keep His promise. Today, Advent is still important because it reminds us God is faithful, His light shines in every darkness, and His love continues to unfold in our lives. Advent teaches us not only to celebrate the birth of Jesus, but also to wait with hope for His return.
To really understand Advent, we also need to understand the Advent wreath and the beautiful meaning behind it. Its circle has no beginning or end, showing God’s everlasting love, and the evergreen branches remind us His life remains with us even in the coldest and darkest days. The wreath has three purple and one pink candle. Each week, another candle is lit on the wreath. The purple candles represent prayer, preparation and waiting for Jesus, while the pink candle, lit on the third week (Gaudete Sunday), reminds us to rejoice because Christmas is near. The Sunday before Christmas (week 4 of Advent), the final purple candle is lit — the candle of love — completing the Advent wreath and preparing our hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Light of the World.
Four Weeks of the Advent Wreath
Week 1: Purple candle is lit symbolizing hope.
Week 2: Purple candle is lit symbolizing peace.
Week 3: Pink candle is lit symbolizing joy.
Week 4: Purple candle is lit symbolizing love.
Here at St. Joseph’s Indian School, we honor this season with deep meaning and joyful anticipation. We began the first week of Advent on November 30 in our Lady of the Sioux Chapel. Fr. Greg and a few students that remained on campus (most of our students were traveling back to campus from Thanksgiving break) lit the first candle on the Advent wreath. On Monday, December 1 staff and students set up Christmas trees, but without decorations. The trees stand tall and bare, reminding us that Advent starts quietly.
In the middle of the first week of Advent, our campus communities gathered for the lighting of the Christmas trees, symbolizing hope. Just as the Advent wreath grows brighter with each candle, the colorful lights on the trees filled the rooms with hope. The brightness reminded us that even in the darkest times, God’s love shines like the guiding star over Bethlehem. Every light became a symbol of hope and a reminder that each of us can shine by encouraging others, offering help or bringing comfort to someone who needs it.
By December 8, the school and homes will come alive in full Christmas decorations. The second week of Advent is about peace, and as we light the second purple candle on the Advent wreath, we remember that Jesus came as the Prince of Peace. Peace comes from trusting God even when life feels stressful or uncertain. Our students learn peace is something we can share through patience, kindness, forgiveness and understanding. As decorations fill every space with beauty, we pray for peace in our hearts, families, school, communities and the world.
On December 14, we celebrate the third week of Advent: joy. This special time coincides with Gaudete Sunday, meaning “rejoice.” We rejoice because Jesus is near, and His love brings deep happiness that stays with us even on hard days. We honor this theme not only by lighting the pink candle on the Advent wreath, but also by holding a Thiyóšpaye Challenge Week, challenging one another to spread joy through culture, language and sport. Each small act of joy helps prepare our hearts for Christmas break and the celebration of Jesus’ birth.
During the fourth week of Advent the final purple candle will be lit symbolizing the theme of love, the greatest gift we receive from Jesus and the heart of the Christmas season. As this final week arrives, our students prepare to return home to celebrate Christmas — the birth of Jesus — with their families. They will experience joy through time together, shared meals, laughter, memories and traditions that remind them how deeply they are loved. Just as Jesus came into the world to show us perfect love, we are reminded that Jesus’ love is the true reason for the season. When we give love, receive love and recognize God’s love in our lives, we celebrate Christmas in the most meaningful way.
As Advent continues to unfold, we are reminded waiting can be magical. Just as the world once waited for a Savior to be born, we now wait for His return. Advent slows us down, helping us notice God’s presence in the stillness, the light, the generosity and the love we share.
There is magic in waiting, not because we do nothing, but because we trust something holy is coming.
We wait with hope. We wait with peace. We wait with joy. And in that waiting, God draws us closer to Himself, just as He always has and always will.
Learn more about St. Joseph’s Indian school by visiting stjo.org.
