The Advent Wreath

During this period before Christmas we must not forget that there is so much more to this holiday than shopping, decorating, visiting and celebrating. As such Advent is that time period beginning four Sundays before Christmas and for certain Christians it is a season of prayer and fasting and it is also the coming of Christ at the Incarnation. In a lot of households you will find the tradition of lighting the Advent wreath. The wreath is formed like a crown from evergreen branches and represents eternity. It can be store bought or if you have the possibility to get evergreen branches you can make it yourself.

When your wreath is ready then during this Advent time the idea is to light one candle out of four on the wreath each of the Sundays leading up to Christmas. The process is such that the first Sunday you light only one candle and let it burn to around halfway, the next Sunday you will light two candles the one from the previous Sunday and the next unlit candle and so on until the last Sunday of the Advent all four candles are lit. What each candle represents is an aspect of the spiritual preparation for the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

An evergreen wreath so aromatic and full

With four candles in it

Three in hues of purple

And one in pink

These candles which will burn bright

One after the other

Brightening our Sundays in warm glow

Represent the coming of Christ’s light into our world

That very first Sunday

We light a purple candle which is the light of prophecy

To remember Isaiah who foretold

To this weary world of Christ’s birth

It is the candle

Which represents hope

To give cheer at this time of year

In joyous expectation of the coming of the Messiah

When the second Sunday of Advent comes round

The second purple candle gets lit

Its warm glow representing pure love

Bringing warmth and joy into our hearts

Now in the glow of candlelight

We can reflect on the coming

It has been known to be called

The Bethlehem candle symbolizing Christ’s manger

On the third Sunday of Advent

When peace is upon us

We light the pink candle known as the Shepherd’s candle

Representing joy

At this wonderful holiday time

We now look upon

At three bright burning candles

Eagerly awaiting the last

Comes the morn of the fourth Sunday

When we light the last purple one

This is the wondrous Angel’s candle

Representing what’s so needed in this world peace

After all the candles have burnt down

Leaving us with the evergreen wreath

Comes Christmas Eve

When a white candle is placed in its center

This special white candle

Represents Christ’s life

As He has come into this world

The color symbolizing purity

For Christians everywhere

This means as we receive Christ

We are washed of our sins

Made pure as the white driven snow

Accepting this way of waiting for Christmas with a glowing Advent wreath gives all family members especially children a special purpose at this time of year and an opportunity for families to keep Christ at the center of Christmas. Children can be taught the true meaning of Christmas and they can also be presented with an Advent Calendar for an exciting way to walk the symbolic path leading up to Christmas.

An Advent calendar is derived from the German word Adventskalendar. It is used to count the days of Advent waiting for Christmas. The calendars usually start from the First Sunday of Advent. It was first used by German Lutherans in the 19 and 20 centuries and later spread to other Christian denominations.

Traditional Advent calendars feature a manger scene, Saint Nicholas, and winter weather but can range in any kinds of themes from sports to technology, Every calendar date in December is opened like a little door and behind it can be toys, some memorable items, or candy.

Tomorrow December 1, 2024 is the First Advent