In the northern countries, but also in France and Switzerland, every year, we revive this beautiful tradition of the four Advent candles. They are lit one after the other from the fourth Sunday before Christmas in anticipation of the birth of the Messiah.. A very poetic legend is said to be at the origin of this custom..

Four candles were burning in their Advent candle holder. Silence reigned, and we heard the candles talking to each other.

The first candle sighed and said : “My name is Peace, I shine with a clear light, but humans don't want peace, they don't want me”. The flame grew smaller and finally went out..

The second candle says : “My name is Faith, but I have become useless. Humans no longer want to know God. My flame no longer has any meaning”. She went out.

Sad and with a sweet voice, the third candle says : “My name is Love, I no longer have the strength to burn, humans ignore me, they only see themselves and not those they should love”. And the third candle also went out.

A child arrived with tears in his eyes : “Your role is to burn and not to extinguish”. Suddenly we heard the voice of the fourth candle: “Don't worry, as long as I burn, I can turn the others back on. My name is Hope.”

The child took the flame of Hope and rekindled that of Peace, of Faith and Love.