Our Lady of Lourdes School observes the Advent wreath tradition with a ceremony on Monday mornings, one for the younger children, another for the older students.

Lighting the Advent wreath is a beautiful tradition, and I'm hoping that how I approach it is more important than how often.

It caught on and, though it is not an official part of the Catholic Advent liturgy, it has come to be a "custom." It is a rare church that does not now light the Advent wreath.

After 38 years as an active member of Rolling Hills Covenant Church, I was finally asked to participate in the Advent candle-lighting service.