The Candlelight Mystery
by Aaron Aaronsen
The living room of the Monti family’s home glowed warmly with the soft flicker of candlelight. It was the third Sunday of Advent, and Monti J. Monti sat cross-legged on the floor, watching his mother light the third candle on their Advent wreath. The delicate scent of pine needles mixed with the sweet aroma of the cookies cooling on the kitchen counter.
As his mother placed the match aside, Monti tilted his head. “Why do we always light them in this order?” he asked, pointing to the three glowing candles, two purple and one pink.
His mother smiled. “It’s a tradition, Monti. Each candle has its own meaning. The first is for hope, the second for peace, and the third is for joy.”
Monti nodded slowly, but his curiosity wasn’t satisfied. “Why do we need to light candles for those things? We could just talk about them, right?”
His father chuckled from the armchair. “It’s not just about the candles. It’s about what they remind us to do and feel. But I think your grandmother could explain it even better. She has wonderful stories about our traditions.”
Monti’s face lit up. He loved hearing his grandmother’s stories.
That evening, Monti joined his grandmother in the cozy kitchen upstairs. She was kneading dough for Zimtsterne, her famous cinnamon star cookies, while Pilatus lay snoring at her feet.
“Grandma,” Monti began, pulling up a stool. “Why do we light the candles in a certain order on the Advent wreath?”
His grandmother wiped her floury hands and smiled. “Ah, Monti, the Advent candles are very special. They help us prepare for Christmas, not just with gifts and treats, but in our hearts. Would you like to hear the story behind them?”
Monti nodded eagerly.
His grandmother began, “A long time ago, people wanted a way to focus on the true meaning of Advent. They chose four candles to remind them of the most important things during this season. The first candle is hope, because it reminds us to always look forward to brighter days. The second is peace, to remind us to be kind and calm, even when life gets busy. The third candle is joy, to celebrate the happiness we share with others. And the fourth candle is love, the greatest gift of all.”
Monti listened intently, picturing the meanings in his mind.
“But why do we light them one at a time?” he asked.
“Because each week brings us closer to Christmas,” his grandmother said. “It’s like taking small steps toward something wonderful. And by the time all four candles are lit, we’re ready to celebrate together.”
The next day at school, Monti couldn’t stop thinking about the Advent candles. When his teacher asked if anyone had ideas for a craft project, Monti raised his hand.
“Can we make paper Advent wreaths?” he suggested.
The teacher loved the idea, and soon Monti and his classmates were busy cutting out paper circles and decorating them with hand-drawn candles. Monti carefully labeled each one with its meaning: hope, peace, joy, and love.
“Why does the third one look different?” Leo asked, pointing to Monti’s pink candle.
“It’s for joy,” Monti explained, recalling his grandmother’s story. “It’s supposed to stand out because it’s about celebrating the happiness we share.”
Leo nodded thoughtfully as he added glitter to his own wreath.
That Sunday, Monti sat with his parents around their Advent wreath, staring at the flickering candles. As the flame of the third candle danced, he felt a warm sense of joy in his chest.
“I shared the story of the candles with my class,” Monti said proudly. “And we made paper Advent wreaths!”
His mother smiled. “That’s wonderful, Monti. Sharing the meaning of these traditions helps them stay alive for others, too.”
Monti grinned. He had always thought traditions were just something people did without much thought. But now he understood that they were like little treasures, carrying stories and lessons from one generation to the next.
As the candles burned brightly, Monti felt closer to Christmas than ever, not because of the gifts waiting under the tree, but because of the hope, peace, joy, and love the season brought into their home.
Welcome to the Zaubertales Advent Calendar 2024. This Christmas season, we are sharing the magical world of Monti J. Monti, our curious and courageous little hero. Each day in December brings a new short story filled with heartwarming adventures, meaningful lessons, and a touch of festive magic.
Our series is more than a collection of stories. It is an opportunity and invitation to join us in shaping Monti’s journey. As the stories unfold, we encourage you to share your thoughts and ideas. What challenges should Monti face next? What should Monti’s world look like? What inspires you about his character? Together, we will create a hero who reflects the creativity and kindness of the Zaubertales community.
Zaubertales is dedicated to crafting stories that bring joy and learning to children and families. Through Monti’s adventures, we inspire laughter, spark meaningful conversations, and nurture imagination. Whether you read these stories during quiet evenings or share them as a family, they are designed to add wonder and delight to this special time of year.
We are thrilled to bring you this interactive storytelling experience. Let’s make this December a memorable celebration of joy, discovery, and the true spirit of Christmas.
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