When my friends and I were in Ikea last Wednesday, I did a bit of shopping too. My friend was talking about buying candles for Advent. So I asked her how to use the advent candles. And she told me they burn one candle per Sunday which starts on the 4th Sunday before Christmas. Okay… my knowledge of Advent is growing by the minute. I am truly excited. I may not do the special Sunday dinner and observe advent this year… but I’m planning to do it next year.
The colors of the candles vary with different traditions, but there are usually three purple or blue candles, corresponding to the sanctuary colors of Advent, and one pink or rose candle. One of the purple candles is lighted the first Sunday of Advent, a Scripture is read, a short devotional or reading is given, and a prayer offered. On subsequent Sundays, previous candles are relighted with an additional one lighted. The pink candle is usually lighted on the third Sunday of Advent. However, different churches or traditions light the pink candle on different Sundays depending on the symbolism used (see above on Colors of Advent). In Churches that use a Service of the Nativity, it is often lighted on the fourth Sunday of Advent, the final Sunday before Christmas.
In this double focus on past and future, Advent also symbolizes the spiritual journey of individuals and a congregation, as they affirm that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today, and that He will come again in power. That acknowledgment provides a basis for Kingdom ethics, for holy living arising from a profound sense that we live “between the times” and are called to be faithful stewards of what is entrusted to us as God’s people. So, as the church celebrates God’s inbreaking into history in the Incarnation, and anticipates a future consummation to that history for which “all creation is groaning awaiting its redemption,” it also confesses its own responsibility as a people commissioned to “love the Lord your God with all your heart” and to “love your neighbor as yourself.”
Read also: Advent Series: 1 – Advent Season
So we went straight to KLCC… saw the dancing fountain, took photo of it. Good thing we reached the place at 10. They turn off the fountain at 10:15pm. We’re just in time to take photos. Me and my hobby… (yes, hobby, not hubby) hehehe.
Went inside Suria KLCC. It was magnificent. They have the tallest and biggest Christmas tree. They decorated with silver and purple (which was not my cup of tea) but we took photos anyway. Then we went outside to see the dancing fountain. Lots of people hanging out there.
After we went around, we went back to Bintang Walk… this time, my camera battery was out already. Then we realized people gathered there to have a Christmas count down. So the street we were driving at was packed… So on the 12:00 of Christmas eve, we were in the car, witnessing the fun people were making (spraying artificial snow on each other) and listening to a Christmas song, “It came Upon a Midnight Clear”, something like that. It was special coz hubby and I just love joyrides. People are spraying artificial snow at our car as well… It was really fun.
I wonder if all these people really know what they’re celebrating about. We drove home at 1:00am. Had pringles and coke for Noche Buena. 
On the way back home, we dropped by Subang Parade to finish off our Christmas shopping. Now everything’s complete. I also got some stuff for Christmas giveaways for our team’s party. Yeah, I’m gonna host the party again. I love hosting parties and dinners. Loved hosting fine dining until Samantha came. Fine dining requires very detailed preparation so when another baby came, I couldn’t do it anymore… physically and time-wise not able… Maybe when Samantha grows bigger, i can go back to it. I just love fine dining. That’s all. 
Okay, back to Subang Parade. It was a good timing when we were there coz there was a carolling show and Santa Claus went around greeting everybody, and giving candies to kids. Schenker shook hands with him; Samantha was scared. Hehehe.
Went home feeling tired but accomplished.
too bad. We missed the Christmas program. Everytime they have programs and shows in the church, it’s like they have an international show. They actually practise for months and they can really spend for costumes and backdrops and some effects!