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| by: Fr. Francis J. Weiser, S.J. | |
| The Family Advent Wreath |
This charming symbol connected with the season of advent has not only found its way into America but has of late been spreading so rapidly that it is already a cherished custom in many homes. People seem to welcome it with eager delight wherever they are introduced to this "new" custom. Actually, it is centuries old, although not as old as most other Christmas traditions.
The Advent wreath originated a few hundred years ago among the Lutheran population in Eastern Germany. It seems to have been suggested by one of the many light symbols which were used in folklore at the end of November and beginning of December. At that season of the year our pre-Christian forefathers began to celebrate the month of Yule (December) with the burning of lights and fires. The Christians in medieval times kept many of these light and fire symbols alive but Christianized them.
In the sixteenth century somebody conceived the fortunate inspiration of using such lights as a religious symbol of Advent in the houses of the Faithful. The practice quickly spread and was soon accepted among Catholics and Protestants alike.
The Advent wreath is exactly what the word implies, a wreath of evergreens, made in various sizes. It is either suspended from the ceiling or placed on a table, usually in front of the family shrine. Fastened to the wreath are four candles (3 purple, 1 pink) standing upright, at equal distances. These candles represent the four weeks of Advent and the four thousand years from Adam to Christ.
Daily at certain times, (usually in the evening), the family gathers for a short exercise of prayer. Every Sunday of Advent one more candle is lit until all four candles shed their cheerful light to announce the approaching birthday of the Lord. Before the prayer starts, all other lights are extinguished in the room, and only the gentle glow of the live candles illuminates the darkness.
How to Make the Family Advent Wreath
During the week before the First Sunday of Advent, the father of the family takes charge of the family preparation of the Advent Wreath. This is an old custom and filled with spiritual significance.
Traditionally, all the family members made the Advent Wreath. Father and sons collected evergreen boughs, black thread for tying the boughs together and wire to form candle holders hidden in the wreath. Mother and daughters purchase the violet and rose ribbon and the 4 candles. Blessed candles obtained from the Parish are sacramentals and bring special solemnity to the use of the Advent Wreath during the 4 weeks of Advent.
An Advent Wreath can be purchased easily today but children are especially drawn into this Advent family custom when the wreath is homemade.
A wreath is fashioned out of evergreen boughs and should be full and lush. It should be sized to fit on the family altar to be used during evening prayers. Some families place it on their evening meal table. A wire circle can be entwined under the wreath to hold 4 candles. For bows are fashioned out of ribbon – 3 violet in color, one rose. Each bow represents the graces particular to each of the 4 weeks of Advent. The violet is the liturgical color of a season of penance, which Advent is. The rose colored one is for the Third Sunday of Advent when the Church’s joy is ever more evident as the birth of the Savior is only days away. Three violet candles are placed on the wreath secured right near the corresponding violet bows. A rose colored candle is secured near the rose colored bow (NOTE: If white candles are used, then liturgical colors of Advent, violet and rose, are then represented in the color of the bows.).
Symbolism and Spiritual Meaning of the Family Advent Wreath
Shape of the Wreath
The circular shape of the wreath reminds us of the fact that God is eternal. God had no beginning and will have no end. He always was and always will be.
The Color of the Wreath
Green is the liturgical color that expresses Hope in God. The boughs of the fir tree are always green in every season of the year. These evergreen boughs which form the wreath remind us that God and His Revelation are unchanging even as the fir tree is ever green.
The Four Candles
The four candles divide the time of Advent, each candle representing one of the "four thousand years" Scripture gives as the time span from Adam‘s fall to the birth of the Savior. The first violet candle is lit on the First Sunday of Advent. On the Second Sunday the next violet candle is lit. On the Third Sunday the Rose colored candle is lit. The last violet candle is lit on the Fourth Sunday of Advent.
The Flame of the Candle
The soft glow of each of the candle flames reminds us of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. As each candle is lit during the consecutive weeks, the candle light becomes ever brighter as Christmas approaches and the Lord is near . . . Emmanuel, God with us.
The Ribbon Bows on the Wreath
The ribbons have the liturgical colors of the Advent Season. Violet symbolizes a time of penance and preparation. Rose symbolizes pending jubilation and joy.
Advent Wreath – First Sunday in Advent
On the evening of the First Sunday of Advent as all family members gather at the family altar and the first violet candle is lit, father or mother explain to the children the above list of symbolisms offered by the Advent Wreath. Especially dwell on the fact that Advent reminds us of the 4000 years of the Old Testament when God’s Chosen People awaited the coming of the long promised Redeemer. As God used the events of the Old Testament to prepare the hearts of His people for the coming of His Son, so He will use the 4 weeks of Advents with its particular Liturgical prayers, Scriptural Readings, daily Mass and religious customs in the home, to prepare our hearts to worthily receive His Son on Christmas Day and in our Christmas Communion. The Blessed Sacrament can be better understood when we remember that this Sacrament truly is Emmanuel, God With Us.
On the First Sunday of Advent, after the wreath is in place and the family has gathered for prayer, the father or head of the home, blesses the wreath reading a special prayer of blessing (See Blessing of the Advent Wreath below). Then the family reads the prayer for the first week of Advent (See Advent Wreath Family Prayers below). This prayer is repeated each night during that week till the next Sunday.
Catholic families may have the wreath blessed with a general blessing given by the priest, if they so wish. (Benedictio ad omnia.) A special liturgical blessing could be given to the candles, since the Church provides such a blessing. (Benedictio candelarum)
The traditional symbolism of the Advent wreath reminds the faithful of the Old Testament, when mankind was "sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death." (Lk. 1:79 ) When the prophets, illumined by God, announced the Redeemer; and when the ears of good people stood in flame with the desire for the Messiah. The wreath itself symbolizes "the fulfillment of time" in the coming of Christ, the glory of His birth, and the gift of eternal life He brings us.
The purple candles remind us of the Advent penance’s we have taken on to prepare our hearts for the coming of Almighty God. The pink one reminds us of the pending awesome joy His coming will bring each of us.
After the Advent prayers are recited for the grace of a good and holy preparation for Christmas, the family sings one of the traditional Advent hymns or a song in honor of Mary.
It is hard to picture the wonderful memories, which such a daily custom in Advent evokes in the hearts of those who enjoyed its inspiration in their childhood. Somehow these holy moments of prayer and prayerful song before the lights of the Advent wreath exert an influence in later life which seems out of proportion with the simple ceremony. Actually, it is not, of course; for to this practice of family prayer with its beautiful symbolism, apply the words of Christ;" Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Mt. 18:20) You had Christ in your home when you were a child. This is the brilliant truth that makes such a simple tradition so meaningful. It will be a great aid to children to help them keep and strengthen their holy faith.
The Blessing of and the Weekly Prayers for the Advent Wreath
Blessing of the Advent Wreath
V. Our help is in the Name of the Lord.
R. Who made heaven and earth.
Let us pray.
O God, by Whose word all things are sanctified, pour forth Thy blessing upon this wreath and grant that we who use it may prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ and may receive from Thee abundant graces. (Sprinkle the wreath with Holy Water in the form of a cross.)
Through Christ Our Lord.
All: Amen.
Weekly Prayers for the Advent Wreath
First Sunday of Advent
One violet candle is lit by the youngest child.
Stir up Thy power, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and come, so that we may deserve to be rescued by Thy protection from the threatening dangers of our sins and be saved by Thy deliverance. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
All: Amen.
Second Sunday of Advent
Two violet candles are lit by the oldest child.
Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the ways of Thy only begotten Son, that through His coming we may be made worthy to serve Thee with pure minds. Who with Thee livest and reignest, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
All: Amen.
Third Sunday of Advent
Two violet candles and the rose candle are lit by the mother.
Incline Thine ear to our prayers, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and enlighten the darkness of our minds by the grace of Thy visitation. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
All: Amen.
All four candles are lit by the father.
Stir up Thy power, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and come, and with great might help us; so that through Thy grace which our sins impede, our deliverance may be hastened by Thy gentle mercy. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
All: Amen.