Advent Wreath Devotional: History, How-tos and Traditions

I find it interesting that candle ceremonies are a common component of so many faith traditions and religious rituals. Hanukkah has its menorah, Kwanzaa its mishumaacandles and Christmas, the Advent wreath. The Advent wreath is an ancient practice observed in many churches and homes around the world. In Catholic families each family will generally have it's own advent wreath. Prayers are said around the lighting of this wreath as well.

The advent wreath can be made in a variety of designs of from various materials. It can be very large or quite small. The wreath may be made of fresh or silk evergreens. It may also be a gold or silver circle of metal. I have seen wooden wreaths as well. My favorite wreath style and one I believe is the most symbolic is the wreath made from fresh evergreens cut from your Christmas tree or other evergreen. Evergreen represents eternal life. the sharp needles bring to mind Christ's suffering and the suffering of our Lady, bringing her Son into the world. The circle shape has no beginning or end, just as the love and care of God. It also has no corners for anyone to be lost in. Everyone is included.

The basic essentials of the Advent wreath include a round candle holder with four equidistant candles around it. Three candles are blue and one is pink or rose. Traditionally the three candles were purple, the color of royalty depicting Christ the King. But purple is the color of suffering or passion of Christ as well. the suffering of Christ at His crucifixiton is never far from our thoughts as Christmas. Advent, like Lent is a penitential and preparatory season.

Many people are increasingly using blue now however as it is the color for hope and also the color for Our Blessed Mother and is a form of blue. The one pink candle represents Joy, the virtue celebrated on the second Sunday. Many families place a larger white Christ candle in the center; this is a version of the Easter candle and is lit on Christmas day. Just as Christ's suffering is near to our hearts, so is His resurrection and power over death.

Advent comes from the Latin verb form 'ad vento' (to come or arrive). As with any special coming or arrival or advent, we must prepare. When guests visit, we anticipate their coming, we look forward to it, we get ready. Each week of Advent, we prepare for the coming of Christ, a different virtue or habit is practiced.

The first week of Advent we think of Expectation. This means that we have the expectation and anticipation of something special that will happen. We use this word when we say that a woman is 'expecting' a child. Something good is coming; we expect a miracle. We expect a life that will enter the world, albeit in a humble and lowly way and change the world. Catholics like to think of Christmas as a time when the spirit of the Christ Child will be born anew in our hearts and inspire us to spiritual and corporal works of mercy. Light one blue candle.

The Second Sunday of Advent focuses on Hope. This is hope with a capital H, meaning faith or trust, not the hope used to mean 'wish' or 'wanted'. Like I hope I get a bike. We can put our hope or trust in Jesus as an infant, as our Saviour as our Lord. He is trustworthy. He won't let us down. Light two blue candles.

The Third Sunday is Gaudette Sunday. The Word 'gaudette' comes from the Latin for 'joy'. So the virtue to practice is joy, which is understood as the 'peace that passeth all understanding'. Because we have the hope of this wonderful Guest arriving, we feel joy. We have an excitement and even thrill. This joy is so much more real and lasting than the fleeting infatuation over new toys which only break, get lost or fail to satisfy. Pink is the color of joy. Light one pink and two blue candles.

The Fourth Sunday of Advent focuses on Anticipation. We are eagerly awaiting this arrival. We do all we can to fit our hearts and our lives to the coming of Jesus, both as an infant and as our Savoir. When the guests come, we clean house, tidy up and make things look nice for them. We may even decorate. I tell children to think of your heart and your life like your home. Clean up the mess, put away the pettiness make a warm comfortable place for you Guest. One blue candle is lit. Light all four candles.

On Christmas Eve at midnight mass or Christmas Day light the center white center candle only. For daily advent devotions, try Follow the Star.org. It's a lovely site with serene music that will take you through meditations for each day of this holy season. One Bread, One Body is a daily devotional site which offers profound insights and meditation into advent and Christmas.