Posted on February 9, 2010.
The growing popularity of Advent wreaths Advent wreaths are a popular choice for Christian families are preparing for Christmas the birth of Jesus. The candles are lit and prayers are said on the four Sundays of Advent preceding Christmas Day. Families welcome the opportunity to highlight the true meaning of Christmas and spirituality to their children to offset the overwhelming commercialism of the holiday season and 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 conifers. Evergreens live during the cold months of winter, and signifies the strength and are still alive. The roundness of the crown, without beginning or end, meaning the circle of life. It also symbolizes God who is regarded as eternal, without beginning or end.
Advent is the four weeks preceding Christmas. Advent wreaths are traditionally used to celebrate each of the four Sundays of Advent. Prayers and readings are usually said before Sunday night, or before each meal during Advent. A new candle is lit each Sunday, one candle the first Sunday, two the second, third and three on all four candles are lit, the fourth Sunday. Catholics and Protestants use purple candles for the first, second and fourth candles. The third candle is pink and used on the third Sunday of this day, called Gaudete Sunday in the Roman Catholic faith, is considered more joyous in anticipation of the birth of Christ.
A white candle fifth largest 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 January 6 that symbolizes the day of the Magi or three wise men gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh the infant Jesus.
Many families make their own advent wreaths. craft stores sell rings crown and wire that can be used to attach to the ring of conifers, as well as candles and ribbon required. These rings can even be used to make Christmas wreaths . Christian stores sell many kinds of Advent crowns from brass plated wreaths and garlands of artificial greenery. Fresh, fragrant balsam fir wreaths advent can be purchased online for your own use or as a significant gift for your loved ones. Keep in mind if buying an Advent wreath for yourself or others to ensure it arrives before the first Sunday of Advent, which is the second in December 2007.
