The Advent Wreath

Advent in the Christian sense refers to the four weeks before Christmas. The four Sundays of Advent are often traditionally celebrated with four candles with one to be lit each Sunday. Each candle has a specific meaning associated with different aspects of the Advent story. The first one almost always symbolizes expectant hope and is sometimes associated with prophecy. The others are organized around characters or themes as a way to unfold the story and direct attention to the celebrations and worship in the season, such as Peace, Love, Joy. The third (and sometimes fourth) is generally symbolic of Joy at the imminence of the coming of Christ. A fifth, white or gold, candle -- called a "Christ Candle" -- is often lit in the center on Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day to signify Christ's birth.

During one of the weekly Family Advent Events that took place in December, the focus was on Advent and making an Advent wreath that could be used with your family. Adults and children were sent outside with a mission to collect natural twigs, leaves, flowers or pinecones from the grounds to construct their homemade advent wreath. After searching for about 15 minutes, all had enough materials to construct a wreath to take home. There were many creative wreaths made that evening. Check out the festivities. You can make your own at home as well with a little imagination.

How to Use Your Advent Wreath

The idea is to use the wreath in conjunction with worship services or personal or family devotions on the four Sundays in Advent. You light candles at the beginning of each service adn snuff then out at the end.

• On the first Sunday in Advent, light the first candle. Have your service , then blow out the candle.
• On the second Sunday in Advent, light two candles, first the one from the previous Sunday, then the second one. Have your service , then blow out the candle.
• On the third Sunday in Advent, you light two candles from the previous weeks, in the order you lit them before, then you light the third one. Have your service , then blow out the candle.
• On the fourth Sunday in Advent, you light the three candles from the previous weeks, in the order you lit them before, then you light the courth one. Have your service , then blow out the candle. You should get a stair-step effect, since each candle is a different length by now.
  

If you have a fifth candle in the center, then on Christmas Day you light the four candles in the order you lit them before, and then you light the center candle. Have your service , then blow out the candle.

~BUILD FAITH~~NUTURE HOPE~~SHARE GOD'S LOVE~