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The Advent Wreath and Evergreens

The beginning of Advent is a time for the hanging of the green, decoration of the church with evergreenwreaths, boughs, or trees that help to symbolize the new and everlasting life brought through Jesus theChrist. Some churches have a special weekday service, or the first Sunday evening of Advent, or eventhe first Sunday morning of Advent, in which the church is decorated and the Advent wreath put in place.This service is most often primarily of music, especially choir and hand bells, and Scripture reading, alongwith an explanation of the various symbols as they are placed in the sanctuary.

The Advent wreath is an increasingly popular symbol of the beginning of the Churchyear in many churches as well as homes. It is a circular evergreen wreath (real orartificial) with five candles, four around the wreath and one in the center. Since thewreath is symbolic and a vehicle to tell the Christmas story, there are various ways tounderstand the symbolism. The exact meaning given to the various aspects of thewreath is not as important as the story to which it invites us to listen, and participate.

The circle of the wreath reminds us of God Himself, His eternity and endless mercy, which has nobeginning or end. The green of the wreath speaks of the hope that we have in God, the hope of

newness, of renewal, of eternal life. Candles symbolize the light of God coming into the world through thebirth of His son. The four outer candles represent the period of waiting during the four Sundays ofAdvent, which themselves symbolize the four centuries of waiting between the prophet Malachi and thebirth of Christ.

The colors of the candles vary with different traditions, but there are usually three purple or bluecandles, corresponding to the sanctuary colors of Advent, and one pink or rose candle. One of the purplecandles is lighted the first Sunday of Advent, a Scripture is read, a short devotional or reading is given,and a prayer offered. On subsequent Sundays, previous candles are relighted with an additional onelighted. The pink candle is usually lighted on the third Sunday of Advent. However, different churches ortraditions light the pink candle on different Sundays depending on the symbolism used (see above onColors of Advent). In Churches that use a Service of the Nativity, it is often lighted on the fourth Sundayof Advent, the final Sunday before Christmas.

http://www.cresourcei.org/greens.htmlhttp://www.cresourcei.org/cyadvent.html#The%20Colors%20of%20Adventhttp://www.cresourcei.org/nativity.htmlhttp://www.cresourcei.org/nativity.htmlhttp://www.cresourcei.org/cyadvent.html#The%20Colors%20of%20Adventhttp://www.cresourcei.org/greens.html

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Himself in Christ. And yet, the world is not yet fully redeemed. So, we again with expectation, with hope,await Gods new work in history, the Second Advent, in which He will again reveal Himself to the world.And we understand in a profound sense that the best, the highest of our expectations will fall far short ofwhat our Lords Second Advent will reveal!

The remaining three candles of Advent may be associated with different aspects of the Advent story indifferent churches, or even in different years. Usually they are organized around characters or themes asa way to unfold the story and direct attention to the celebrations and worship in the season. So, thesequence for the remaining three Sundays might be Bethlehem, Shepherds, and Angels. Or Love, Joy,Peace. Or John the Baptist, Mary, the Magi. Or the Annunciation, Proclamation, Fulfillment. Whateversequence is used, the Scripture readings, prayers, lighting of the candles, the participation of worshipersin the service, all are geared to telling the story of redemption through Gods grace in the Incarnation.

The third candle, usually for the Third Sunday of Advent, is traditionally Pink or Rose, and symbolizesJoy at the soon Advent of the Christ. It marks a shift from the more solemn tone of the first two Sundaysof Advent that focus on Preparation and Hope, to a more joyous atmosphere of anticipation andexpectancy. Sometimes the colors of the sanctuary and vestments are also changed to Rose for thisSunday. As noted above, in some churches the pink Advent candle is used on the fourth Sunday to markthe joy at the impending Nativity of Jesus.

Whatever sequence is adopted for these Sundays, the theme of Joy can still be the focus for the pinkcandle. For example, when using the third Sunday to commemorate the visit of the Magi the focus can beon the Joy of worshipping the new found King. Or the Shepherds as the symbol for the third Sundaybrings to mind the joy of the proclamation made to them in the fields, and the adoration expressed as theyknelt before the Child at the manager. If used on the fourth Sunday of Advent, it can symbolize the Joy infulfilled hope.

The center candle is white and is called the Christ Candle. It is traditionally lighted on Christmas Eve orDay. However, since many Protestant churches do not have services on those days, many light it on theSunday preceding Christmas, with all five candles continuing to be lighted in services through Epiphany

(Jan 6). The central location of the Christ Candle reminds us that the incarnation is the heart of theseason, giving light to the world.Reprinted with permission by CRI/Voice, Institute, Dennis Bratcher

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Make an Advent Wreath at HomeDid you know that Advent wreaths were originally used in the home? Theydidnt become popular in churches until the middle of the twentieth century.You can make an Advent wreath with either four or five candles.

How to Make an Advent WreathTo begin, put four candles on a wreath or at least in a circle. Traditionally thecandles are purple, because in antiquity, purple dye was very expensive and

it was the color of royalty. We use purple for Advent because it is the seasonof the coming of the King. If you cant get purple candles, you can substituteblue ones. You can also make one of the candles pink if you liketechnically, it is rose colored. If you have a fifth candle, it goes in the centerof the wreath and it should be white.

How to Use Your Advent WreathThe idea is to use the wreath in conjunction with worship services orpersonal or family devotions on the four Sundays in Advent. You lightcandles at the beginning of each service and snuff them out at the end.

On the first Sunday in Advent, you light the first candle. Have yourservice, 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 yourservice, then snuff out the candles.

On the third Sunday in Advent, you light the two candles from theprevious weeks, in the order you lit them before, then you add thethird one. Have your service, then snuff out the candles.

On the fourth Sunday in Advent, you light the three candles fromthe previous weeks, in the order you lit them before, then you lightthe fourth one. Have your service, then snuff out the candles. Youshould get a stair-step effect, since each candle is a differentlength by now.

If you have a fifth candle in the center, then on Christmas Day you light thefour candles in the order you lit them before, and then you light the center

candle. Have your service, then snuff out the candles. You notice how Iemphasize snuffing out the candles at the end of each service? This hasabsolutely no liturgical significance whatsoever, but it is vitally important andyou must not leave it out. It prevents the candles from burning your housedown. I recommend that you snuff out the candles, rather than blowing themout. The reason is that if you blow them out, you might spray hot wax overeverything.

Prayers for Use with the Advent WreathWhen you use an Advent Wreath in personal or family devotions, you canuse whatever scriptures and prayers you like. If you need a point ofdeparture, here is something to get you started. Please dont take it as a set

form. You can use different readings, you can modify the prayers, and youcan add hymns, carols, or other prayers as you like.

On the First Sunday in Advent Light one purple candle Read Isaiah 60:2-3

Lord God, we light this candle to thank you for your Son our Savior JesusChrist, who is the light of the world. We who have sat in darkness have seena great light, the light of Jesus Christ, our salvation. We give you thanks andpraise in Jesus' name, because he lives and reigns with you in your glory,and in the unity of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

On the Second Sunday in Advent Light two purple candles Read Mark 1:4

Lord God, we light this candle to thank you for your Son our Savior JesusChrist, who is the way. We who like sheep have gone astray have found theway to you through Jesus Christ. We give you thanks and praise in Jesus'name, because he lives and reigns with you in your glory, and in the unity ofthe Holy Spirit, Amen.

On the Third Sunday in Advent Light three purple candles Read Isaiah 35:10

Lord God, we light this candle to thank you for your Son our Savior JesusChrist, who brings us great joy. We who have walked in the shadow of thevalley of death have found life in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We giveyou thanks and praise in Jesus' name, because he lives and reigns with youin your glory, and in the unity of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

On the Fourth Sunday in Advent Light all the purple candles Read Isaiah 9:6-7

Lord God, we light this candle to thank you for your Son our Savior JesusChrist, who is the Prince of Peace. We who live in discord and strife havefound peace in the promise of eternal life, through Jesus Christ. We give youthanks and praise in Jesus' name, because he lives and reigns with you inyour glory, and in the unity of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

On Christmas Eve or Christmas DayRemember, it isnt Christmas Eve until sundown on December 24!

Light all the purple candles and the white candle Read Luke 1:68-79 and Luke 2:1-20

We praise you, Lord God, because on this day, your Word became flesh inour Savior Jesus Christ, was born of a woman, and walked among us as aman. Help us to imitate your incarnation, by manifesting our faith in ourconduct as well as in our speech. To you, O Lord, we give our honor, praise,worship, and love, in the most holy and precious name of the One who isborn today; because He lives and reigns with you in your glory, and in the

unity of the Holy Spirit, Amen.