The Advent Wreath

	The Advent Wreath
About the Advent Wreath A Rite for the Beginning of Advent at Home Daily Prayers for Each Week of Advent	The origins of the Advent wreath are found in the folk practices of the pre-Christian Germanic peoples who, during the cold December darkness of Eastern Europe, gathered wreaths of evergreen and lighted fires as signs of hope in a coming spring and renewed light. Christians kept these popular traditions alive, and by the 16th century Catholics and Protestants throughout Germany used these symbols to celebrate their Advent hope in Christ, the everlasting Light. From Germany the use of the Advent wreath spread to other parts of the Christian world. Traditionally, the wreath is made of four candles in a circle of evergreens. Three candles are violet and the fourth is rose, but four white candles or four violet candles can also be used. Each day at home, the candles are lighted, perhaps before the evening meal -- one candle the first week, and then another each succeeding week until December 25th. A short prayer may accompany the lighting. The Advent Wreath is the widely recognized symbol of Advent. The wreath is made of a circle of evergreen branches laid flat to symbolize the endless nature of God's love for his people. Four candles stand in the circle. Traditionally, three of the candles are purple and the fourth, the "Joy" candle is pink. Blue candles may also be used to emphasize our hope in God's promise fulfilled in the Nativity. One candle is lit during the first week of Advent, two during the second week, three during the third and four during the fourth week. The candles remind us of the light of God coming into the world, and the light from the candles grows brighter as each week comes closer to Christmas. Advent Candle Lighting Litany Passionist Ministries The Advent Wreath
About the Advent Wreath A Rite for the Beginning of Advent at Home Daily Prayers for Each Week of Advent	The first day the wreath is in the home, the leader may say: As our nights grow longer and our days grow short, we look on these earthly signs -- light and green branches -- and remember God's promise to our world: Christ, our Light and our Hope, will come. Listen to the words of Isaiah the prophet: The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; on those who lived in a land as dark as death a light has dawned. You have increased their joy and given them gladness; They rejoice in your presence as those who rejoice at harvest, as warriors exult when dividing spoil. Is 9:1-2 Then all pray: O God, rejoicing, we remember the promise of your Son. As the light from this candle, may the bless of Christ come upon us, brightening our way and guiding us by his truth. May Christ our Savior bring life into the darkness of our world, and to us, as we wait for his coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen Then the first candle is lighted. Each day at home, the candles are lighted, perhaps before the evening meal -- one candle the first week, and then another each succeeding week until December 25th. The rose candle is usually lighted on the third Sunday of Advent. As the candles are lighted, a prayer may be said.
About the Advent Wreath A Rite for the Beginning of Advent at Home Daily Prayers for Each Week of Advent	First Week O Emmanuel, Jesus Christ, desire of every nation, Savior of all peoples, come and dwell among us. Second Week O King of all nations, Jesus Christ, only joy of every heart, come and save your people. Third Week O Key of David, Jesus Christ, the gates of heaven open at your command, come and show us the way to salvation. Fourth Week O Wisdom, holy Word of God, Jesus Christ, all things are in your hands, come and show us the way to salvation.
©1996, 1997, 2000 - The Passionist Missionaries	Prayer books and commentary provided by Passionist Publications and Fr Victor Hoagland, C.P.