The Advent Wreath is seasonal decor item that is a circle of evergreen foliage that holds four candles to represent a week of Advent. In the more modern times we are seeing advent wreaths made out of pewter, brass, silver and even gold with thematic items such as the nativity etched to the ring that holds the candles. The four candles are there to represent the coming of Christmas and remind us of the birth of Jesus, who bears the name of light of the world.
The original Advent Wreath started in Germany and can be dated back to Bavaria in the 1700s. The thought was the Germans were using it to help light the long dark winter nights where as Advent takes place during the times when the darkness of night is predominant and leads up to the Winter Solicits which is the day of the year that has the most amount of darkness and daylight is very scarce. Other countries picked up this custom and it spread throughout Western Europe and though immigration made its way to the United States.
The four Candles that are placed in the Advent Wreath mark the four Sundays that make up the Sundays of Advent. There are three purple candles, that match the sanctuary colors of advent, and one rose or pink candle. The readings for each of the Sundays are very well thought out and are geared to the waiting and penitential in nature. The Old Testament readings for the first few weeks focus on our sinfulness and the sinfulness of man so that we recall that as we prepare to welcome the Christ Child into the world.
On the first Sunday of Advent, the first purple candle is lit. It is up to the parish as to whether or not there is an opening prayer that is unique to the first week of advent. The second Sunday of Advent, the first Sunday candle is lit in conjunction with a second purple candle and again there are readings examining waiting and sinfulness. On the third Sunday of Advent, the pink candle is lit along with the first and second candles. The tone of the readings abruptly shifts to that of hope and joy in the upcoming arrival of the Messiah. . Gaudete Sunday is what the third Sunday has become known as. The word Gaudete means rejoices. It is also the first word of the entrance Psalm that is sung as mass begins. It reminds us to stop being somber and to start rejoicing in the upcoming Arrival of the Savior. The vestments and the sanctuary décor also changes to match the rose color of this particular Sunday.
Through the ages Advent has mimicked Lent but did change from a season of fasting to a season of simple abstinence. And originally Advent ran from the middle of November though Christmas. It was shortened in the 9th century. The Advent Season and the Advent wreath in the present day are a simple reminder for our joy in waiting for Jesus and the candles do remind us that Jesus is the light.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Home Improvement Articles
Transform Your Bath Into a Luxurious Spa Retreat
By: Joy Pendergrass | 21/08/2008
Let's talk bathrooms. Oh, I know, it's a taboo subject, but I'm talking about bathroom renovation! As more and more homeowners are choosing to upgrade their existing homes rather than sell in this market, customizing bathrooms has become a popular option. And if you're going to do a complete bathroom...
Flueless Gas Fires
By: Finley Bradfield | 20/08/2008
Modern houses do not usually have a flue or chimney and many people think that this means that they can only have electric fires. The downside of using an electric fire is that they can be slow to heat up and don't give the same heat as gas fires. The...
Why Now Is the Perfect Time To Improve Your Home
By: JT Miller | 20/08/2008
The bursting of the housing bubble is creating favorable opportunities for people who have been putting off those large home improvement projects.
Home Décor Tips For Bare Wall
By: Kritthaphat N. | 20/08/2008
We oftentimes have a wall section in our home that is bare. We end up simply staring at it while brainstorming of some ideas to spice it up without really deviating from your decoration theme.
To solve your worries, we have great ideas on how to dress up your bare...
Home Décor Ideas For Boys
By: Kritthaphat N. | 20/08/2008
It is a great idea to decorate the rooms of your children. Apart from it looks appealing, it will also in a way spark the creative sense of your children. Get rid of those basic and generic ideas such as decorative cars. Why not go beyond the typical decorative thoughts...
Modern Home Décor
By: Kritthaphat N. | 20/08/2008
People who live in the cosmopolitan area surrounded with high residential buildings are keener on setting up a modern concept of home décor. It suits to their lifestyle and the home space itself that they currently live.
Also, most of the working force these days prefers to have an office at...
Spring Home Décor Ideas
By: Kritthaphat N. | 20/08/2008
Spring is one of the most welcome seasons in our life. It signifies new life, new beginning and new hope. Spring colors are warmth and very refreshing. We don't need to wait for the spring season to enjoy spring. We can give our home a twist by setting up...
Vastu Consultancy
By: Ravi A | 20/08/2008
Love dwells at our homes and all of us expect to experience the fruits of our success, with peace and happiness mostly expected along with health & wealth, faith & spiritual development, progress and prosperity from our home. If we experience a poor surrounding or construction, the minds of people...
More from Elizabeth Guide
How Do You Become Catholic
By: Elizabeth Guide | 08/08/2008 | Religion
How does a person become Catholic? The short answer is to contact the local Catholic Church in their community and ask to speak with the RCIA director or the Adult Education Dept. They will explain the process and periods. The process can take about a year unless you have some...
Celtic Advent Wreaths Help Keep Irish Family Traditions
By: Elizabeth Guide | 04/08/2008 | Religion
A Celtic Advent Wreath may be one that uses tradition advent candles or some use dark and light green tapers in place of the purple and pink. The Celtic Advent and the Easter Orthodox Advent or Nativity fast last for 40 days and starts mid November but most Advent wreaths...
Jesse Tree and Advent
By: Elizabeth Guide | 31/07/2008 | Religion
Jesse Tree and Advent are tied together where as the Jesse Tree has biblical root. Some parishes defer the use of a Christmas tree to a Jesse Tree in the Altar or sanctuary area. Of course some of the Christmas Tree roots do go back to Pagan believes around the...
Enhancing Your Home With Inspirational Tapestry
By: Elizabeth Guide | 02/06/2008 | Home Improvement
One of the most unique home décor items available are woven tapestries. They often are scenes that reflect historical events or historical figures. They are a textile art that uses a vertical loom and hand knits strands of wool to create that picture or painting. Tapestries can be traced back...
Saint Vincent Depaul An Example Of Charity
By: Elizabeth Guide | 19/05/2008 | Religion
Vincent de Paul, The saint of charitable societies, was born in Pouy, Gascony, France around 1580. His parents Jean de Paul and Bertrande de Moras were farmers who raised four sons and two daughters. Vincent was very intelligent at a young age when his father decided to send him away...
Catechism Gives Blueprint To Catholics
By: Elizabeth Guide | 19/05/2008 | Religion
The word catechism as a variety of meanings however the most accepted one comes from Greek and means to Echo. In this application it is a way to echo or repeat the tenants of the Catholic Church. Prior to the invention of the printing press in the 1400s , the...
Seven Gifts Of The Holy Spirit
By: Elizabeth Guide | 15/05/2008 | Religion
One of the major aspects of the Sacrament of Confirmation are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit that are bestowed on the candidate when they are sealed with the Holy Spirit. The candidate when participating in Confirmation accepts that their mission is to be witnesses of Jesus in their...
Fruits Of The Spirit
By: Elizabeth Guide | 15/05/2008 | Religion
After a candidate received the Sacrament of Confirmation, and he receives the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the Church teaches that these gifts bear fruits, the Fruits of the Spirits. These fruits are Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Generosity, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Modesty, Self-Control and Chastiy.
The Fruits of the...
Home Improvement 
