Post by Tammi on Nov 23, 2003 11:24:48 GMT -5
During the holiday season, our family has a couple of traditional things that we do to celebrate. One of our traditions is the lighting of the Advent wreath. Advent is a prayerful time which counts down the 4 weeks to Christmas.
How to Make an Advent Wreath
To begin, put four candles on a wreath or at least in a circle. Traditionally the candles are purple. You can also make one of the candles pink if you like—technically, it is rose colored. If you have a fifth candle, it goes in the center of the wreath and it should be white.
*As part of our family tradition, I make a bread wreath of twisted dough, large enough to place the Advent wreath in the center. On the first Sunday, after our family candle lighting service, we eat the bread wreath, and drink a glass of wine.
As in many Catholic traditions, the candles are symbolic of our beliefs and ideals.
Here are the five candles and their symbolism:
First Candle
Color: Purple
Theme: Hope
First Sunday in Advent
Second Candle
Color: Purple
Theme: Love
Second Sunday in Advent
Third Candle
Color: Purple or pink
Theme: Joy
Third Sunday in Advent
Fourth Candle
Color: Purple
Theme: Peace
Fourth Sunday in Advent
Optional Center Candle
Color: White
Theme: Christmas
Christmas Day
On the first Sunday in Advent, you light the first candle. Have your service, then snuff out the candle.
On the second Sunday in Advent, you light two candles, first the one from the previous Sunday, then the second one. Have your service, then snuff out the candles.
and so on and so on, until you reach Christmas Eve.
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 snuff out the candles.
On the first Sunday in Advent
Light one purple candle
Read Isaiah 60:2-3
On the second Sunday in Advent
Light two purple candles
Read Mark 1:4
On the third Sunday in Advent
Light three purple candles
Read Isaiah 35:10
On the fourth Sunday in Advent
Light all the purple candles
Read Isaiah 9:6-7
On Christmas Eve after sundown or on Christmas Day
(if you have a fifth white candle in the center)
Light all the purple candles and the white candle
Read Luke 1:68-79 and Luke 2:1-20
Do any of you have family traditions similar to ours?
How to Make an Advent Wreath
To begin, put four candles on a wreath or at least in a circle. Traditionally the candles are purple. You can also make one of the candles pink if you like—technically, it is rose colored. If you have a fifth candle, it goes in the center of the wreath and it should be white.
*As part of our family tradition, I make a bread wreath of twisted dough, large enough to place the Advent wreath in the center. On the first Sunday, after our family candle lighting service, we eat the bread wreath, and drink a glass of wine.
As in many Catholic traditions, the candles are symbolic of our beliefs and ideals.
Here are the five candles and their symbolism:
First Candle
Color: Purple
Theme: Hope
First Sunday in Advent
Second Candle
Color: Purple
Theme: Love
Second Sunday in Advent
Third Candle
Color: Purple or pink
Theme: Joy
Third Sunday in Advent
Fourth Candle
Color: Purple
Theme: Peace
Fourth Sunday in Advent
Optional Center Candle
Color: White
Theme: Christmas
Christmas Day
On the first Sunday in Advent, you light the first candle. Have your service, then snuff out the candle.
On the second Sunday in Advent, you light two candles, first the one from the previous Sunday, then the second one. Have your service, then snuff out the candles.
and so on and so on, until you reach Christmas Eve.
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 snuff out the candles.
On the first Sunday in Advent
Light one purple candle
Read Isaiah 60:2-3
On the second Sunday in Advent
Light two purple candles
Read Mark 1:4
On the third Sunday in Advent
Light three purple candles
Read Isaiah 35:10
On the fourth Sunday in Advent
Light all the purple candles
Read Isaiah 9:6-7
On Christmas Eve after sundown or on Christmas Day
(if you have a fifth white candle in the center)
Light all the purple candles and the white candle
Read Luke 1:68-79 and Luke 2:1-20
Do any of you have family traditions similar to ours?