“Well,” said Pooh, “what I like best,” and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn’t know what it was called. — A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

What’s with the Advent wreath? As with other Christian symbols and rituals, the Advent wreath was borrowed from secular culture and used as part of the Church’s preparation for Christmas. The wreath or circle of greens with candles was a pre-Christian tradition of Germanic peoples who lit the wreath during the cold winter as a sign of hope for the upcoming spring. We light a new candle on the Advent wreath each week until Christmas. The candles symbolize Jesus, the Light of the world, coming to dwell among us.

Today, say a prayer before you eat each meal. If you already say grace, take an extra moment to pause before you begin eating.