Advent
Wreath
The advent wreath is made of boughs of evergreen and colored
candles. The evergreen branches symbolize God’s love for us all,
as they are always green, his love is everlasting. The four colored
candles, placed in the middle of the wreath, are lighted one by one during
the weeks before Christmas. One candle is lit during the week of
advent, two the second week, three during the third, and the four during
the fourth. They are to remind us of the light of God coming into
the world, and the light from the candles grow brighter as each week comes
closer to Christmas. The colors of the candle vary. Traditionally,
three of the candles are purple and the fourth candle, symbolizing joy
is pink. Blue candles are sometimes used, as they represent our hope
in God’s promise fulfilled in the Nativity. Many families use the
Advent wreath as reminder of the true meaning of Christmas, and gather
around the wreath at each candle’s lighting to pray and read stories and
scripture together.
