The Increasing Popularity of Advent Wreaths
Advent wreaths are a popular choice for Christian families as they prepare for the Christmas celebration of the birth of Jesus.
Candles are lit and prayers are said on the four Sundays of Advent that precede Christmas day.
Families welcome the opportunity to emphasize the true meaning of Christmas and spirituality to their children to offset the overwhelming commercialism of the holiday season and to prepare for the coming of Christ on Christmas day.
The custom of celebrating advent with the advent wreath is said to have originated in Eastern Germany as a Lutheran custom.
The advent wreath was made with evergreens.
Evergreens live through the cold, winter months and signify strength and are always alive.
The roundness of the wreath with no beginning or end signifies the circle of life.
It also symbolizes God who is thought to be eternal with no beginning or end.
Advent is the four weeks before Christmas.
Advent wreaths are traditionally used to celebrate on each of the four Sundays of Advent.
Prayers and readings are said typically before Sunday dinner, or prior to every dinner during advent.
A new candle is lit on each Sunday, one candle on the first Sunday, two on the second, three on the third and all four candles are lit on the fourth Sunday.
Catholics and Protestants use purple candles for the first, second and fourth candles.
The third candle is rose and used on the third Sunday as this day, called Gaudete Sunday in the Roman Catholic faith, is considered more joyous in anticipation of the birth of Christ.
A fifth white, larger candle is often used on Christmas day.
This candle is placed in the center of the advent wreath and is called the Christ candle.
Many people use four white candles after Christmas day until the feast of the Epiphany on Jan.
6th which symbolizes the day the Magi or three wise men brought the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to baby Jesus.
Many families make their own advent wreaths.
Craft stores sell wreath rings and wire that can be uses to attach evergreens to the ring as well as the ribbon and candles needed.
These same rings can be used to make Christmas wreaths.
Christian stores sell many types of advent wreaths from brass plated wreaths to wreaths with artificial greenery.
Fresh, fragrant balsam fir advent wreaths can be purchased online for your own use or as a meaningful gift for your loved ones.
Keep in mind if purchasing an advent wreath for yourself or others to make sure it arrives prior to the first Sunday of advent which is December 2nd in 2007.
Candles are lit and prayers are said on the four Sundays of Advent that precede Christmas day.
Families welcome the opportunity to emphasize the true meaning of Christmas and spirituality to their children to offset the overwhelming commercialism of the holiday season and to prepare for the coming of Christ on Christmas day.
The custom of celebrating advent with the advent wreath is said to have originated in Eastern Germany as a Lutheran custom.
The advent wreath was made with evergreens.
Evergreens live through the cold, winter months and signify strength and are always alive.
The roundness of the wreath with no beginning or end signifies the circle of life.
It also symbolizes God who is thought to be eternal with no beginning or end.
Advent is the four weeks before Christmas.
Advent wreaths are traditionally used to celebrate on each of the four Sundays of Advent.
Prayers and readings are said typically before Sunday dinner, or prior to every dinner during advent.
A new candle is lit on each Sunday, one candle on the first Sunday, two on the second, three on the third and all four candles are lit on the fourth Sunday.
Catholics and Protestants use purple candles for the first, second and fourth candles.
The third candle is rose and used on the third Sunday as this day, called Gaudete Sunday in the Roman Catholic faith, is considered more joyous in anticipation of the birth of Christ.
A fifth white, larger candle is often used on Christmas day.
This candle is placed in the center of the advent wreath and is called the Christ candle.
Many people use four white candles after Christmas day until the feast of the Epiphany on Jan.
6th which symbolizes the day the Magi or three wise men brought the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to baby Jesus.
Many families make their own advent wreaths.
Craft stores sell wreath rings and wire that can be uses to attach evergreens to the ring as well as the ribbon and candles needed.
These same rings can be used to make Christmas wreaths.
Christian stores sell many types of advent wreaths from brass plated wreaths to wreaths with artificial greenery.
Fresh, fragrant balsam fir advent wreaths can be purchased online for your own use or as a meaningful gift for your loved ones.
Keep in mind if purchasing an advent wreath for yourself or others to make sure it arrives prior to the first Sunday of advent which is December 2nd in 2007.
