For many people Christmas is a time of gift giving and holiday cheer, but for Christians, this time before Christmas marks a very special time to get ourselves ready for the Birth of the Christ Child.
A great way for family's to do this preparation is with a Christmas Wreath.
What exactly is this Christmas Wreath?
It's not just a door decoration but rather a decoration that sits on the Family's Dining Room or Living Room table.
It is a wreath made usually from evergreens and possibly decorated with some poinsettias or berries in between. There is place on this wreath for 4 candles.
What is the meaning of all this? Well from a Christian perspective, there is lots of traditional symbolism involved with the Advent Wreath.
So let's break it down!
- A wreath is round, a circle symbolizing no beginning and no end.
- It is usually covered with evergreens, either cedar or pine, again symbolizing everlasting life.
- All Advent Wreaths should have 4 Candles around the perimeter of the circle.
- 4 Candles, 3 purple and one pink. Sometimes Christians will add a 5th candle in the middle of White.
- 3 Purple candles symbolize, Faith, Hope and Love with the pink candle symbolizing Joy!
- The White Candle if added is a symbol of Christ and the Light of the World.
How do you use the Advent wreath? Well for most Christians, each Sunday before Christmas is a countdown to the Big Event! Not the coming of Santa Claus, but rather the coming of the Christ child. Each Sunday for the 4 weeks before Christmas, a candle is lit and the family sometimes will read the Bible story of the coming of Christ.
Week 1 will see one purple candle lit, week 2 two purple candles are lit, week 3 the pink candle is lit, and week 4 the last purple candle is lit. Why the Pink candle? Well as it gets closer and closer to the actual Christmas day, you can feel the Joy of the family waiting in anticipation. By Christmas all 4 Candles are burning brightly. Some family's will add that 5th candle, a White One, on Christmas Day symbolising the birth of the Christ Child.
Many times some of the symbolism will be scrapped and white or gold or red candles will replace the purple and pink, or a color of your choice to match your decor. It is entirely up to you and your beliefs if you have an traditional Advent Wreath in your home. Christmas will come one way or another, but sometimes it's nice to have the reminders of the reason for the season and help your family understand the story!
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I've never heard of or knowing seen an advent wreath. It sounds like a lovely and meaningful tradition. For me, I already know the white candle would be imperative and the most important. There would be no real Christmas to celebrate without Christ. Thanks for the information. I now know to look for those wreaths in homes this year.
ReplyDeleteYou probably wpn't find them in many homes, but many Christian Churches will have an Advent wreath on full display in the sanctuary.
DeleteGlad I could share some good information on this subject for you!
Olivia, this is a lovely review and meaningful description of an advent wreath. Thank you for this special reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind comments Miss Elf!
DeleteI love adventure wreaths and we have always had one in our church services during advent, lighting another candle each week in preparation for the birth of the Christ child.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of it being and "Adventure" wreath! It would certainly be one if we were to meet the Christ in our lifetimes. Thank you for the kind comments.
DeleteWhat a lovely review about Advent Wreaths. I appreciated learning about the significance of the three purple and the one pink and one white candle. Lovely how you highlighted the meaning of Christmas and the traditional symbolism of the Advent Wreath.
ReplyDeleteThank you Miss Raintree Annie! Christmas is so close at hand right now!
DeleteAs someone who is not Christian I found it very interesting to learn about the tradition and symbolism of the advent wreath. It is a beautiful and meaningful tradition.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Margaret! We also just celebrated Hannukah! Mazel Tov!
DeleteThis year we're not doing any exterior lights, however we did go ahead with a lighted wreath on our door. I absolutely love wreaths. All year round in fact. This year I may look a New Year Wreath, or Valentines Wreath, then a spring wreath - I'm thinking of doing wreaths for all the season and special occasions.
ReplyDeleteWreaths are always nice looking and yes adaptable to all seasons. I made one years ago for Valentines Day and the kids (they were still young enough to enjoy it) loved the idea! Go for it!
DeleteLovely wreathe and background information too! One of my favorite wreathes was one I made and decorated with tiny ornaments; it was so cool.
ReplyDelete