November 28, 2009

How to create an Advent wreath at home:

Use the Advent Devotion with your wreath. Go to:
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The Advent Wreath

Advent is celebrated for the four Sundays preceding Christmas. The message of Advent is “Christ is coming! An Advent wreath has been traditionally set up as a visual tool to help focus our hearts and minds on the true meaning of Christmas.  

The Meaning of Advent Wreath Symbolism

Wreath

The Advent wreath is made of evergreen boughs, symbolizing everlasting life. The circle represents the continuous love of God, with no beginning and no end, as well as the soul’s immortality. 

Candle Colors

Each of the four colored candles in the Advent wreath represents a week leading to Christmas. Traditionally, three of the candles are blue (or purple)  and one is pink. The final candle is white and is located in the center of the wreath.  Purple had been the color of Advent traditionally but more recently, blue is used to symbolize a season of quiet hope rather than the more somber purple of the Lenten season leading up to Easter.

Candle Symbolism

The candles are traditionally lit in the following order: blue, blue, pink, blue, white. Various names have been given to the candles as a theme for the week.  One example might be as follows: the first is the “Candle of Hope.” It symbolizes faith in God keeping his promises to humanity. The second is the “Candle of Preparation,” reminding Christians to “get ready” to receive God. The third candle is the “Candle of Joy.” It is the pink candle and recalls the angels joyfully singing about the birth of Christ. The fourth candle, the “Candle of Love,” reminds Christians that God loves them enough to send his only Son to earth. The “Christ Candle,” the white candle in the center, stands for Jesus Christ himself. 

Family Devotions

Christian families gather around God’s Word to light a candle on the wreath every day during Advent, followed by Scripture readings, songs and prayer.  Use this as special family time involving the children as much as possible with the readings. Some Advent devotions have appropriate activities and hymns/carols focusing on the message of the week. 

How to Set Up an Advent Wreath in Your Home

Things You’ll Need:

Scripture, Advent devotions, prayer book, hymnal or book of carols

Sturdy table or stand with flat protected surface

Pine boughs (cones , optional) or premade wreath form

5 candles  (suggested 3 blue, 1 pink, 1 white)

5 candle holders

Matches (be extra cautious with little ones; do not leave unattended!)

Candle snuffer

How To:

Step 1 Buy or gather several branches of evergreens.

Step 2 Choose a flat surface where the candles/branches are  undisturbed,  and protected from wax.

Step 3 Lay branches flat and make a circle.

Step 4 Add Christian symbols of various kinds.  It can be as simple or ornate as you want.

Step 5 Place four candles in the circle. 

Step 6 Light one candle (front) on the first Advent Sunday and at each day’s devotion time;  two candles (to the left, clockwise) on the second Advent Sunday and during the week following; and so on.  

Step 7 Place  the white candle in the center of the wreath. On Christmas Eve/Day this is the only candle lit. Read or have the children recite the Christmas story from Luke 2. Ponder the gift!

Rejoice in our Newborn King! Come, Lord Jesus!

O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever. Amen.

In the joy of serving Him who saved us,

Pastor Harland H. Goetzinger