Advent is a time of preparation and anticipation, a time when people feel that good things are about to happen; a time of Emanuel, or God with us.

Our symbol for this season is an evergreen wreath with four candles representing the four Sundays of Advent. On the first Sunday, a candle is lit. The first candle is lit as well as a second candle on the second Sunday. On the next Sunday, the first two candles and another are lit. On the last Sunday, all are lit. Some Advent Wreaths have a white fifth candle in the center to be lit on Christmas Day. With the lighting of each candle we look forward to "God with us" through reading Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment.

Many of us get too busy with gift purchases to experience Advent. We become very generous with stores and credit-card companies and forgo the Advent experience. Then on Christmas Day we are glad that the rush is finally over for another year. We fought our way through a maze to get to the red light that we already knew was there.

Mr. Scrooge skipped the appetizer and main meal and went straight for the dessert. His moral choices had a motive - to save himself from Marley's fate. Maybe he was generous and kind for the rest of his life. Maybe he observed Advent every year from then on. What do we do after Christmas?

Peace, good will, generosity and kindness abound in this Advent/Christmas season but they are needed all year long.

Mr. Scrooge did the right thing but for the wrong reasons. How about us?

 - David Jackson