What is an Advent Wreath and How to Make one?

We’ll be constructing our own tabletop Advent wreaths.

Wreath bases, some greens, and a set of candles will be provided, but feel free to bring cuttings of fresh greens you may have to contribute. The variety makes each wreath special.

There will be no Christian Education this week.

Learn more about Advent by Rev. Deacon Jack Brownfield

Below, Reverend Marjorie Bevans explains more.

We’ve just concluded our Church year with the celebration of Christ the King Sunday. That day marked our transition to a new liturgical year with the making of Advent wreaths in the Parish Hall, an event enjoyed by all. The hangings have been changed to purple in the church and the Advent wreath has been put in place.

As we approach our annual celebration of Christ coming to the world, the theme for each week in Advent advances from hope, to peace, to joy, then to love. We adults can join in that childlike anticipation of Christmas by taking care of our Advent wreath.

The first candle on the Advent wreath symbolizes the Light of Christ coming into the spiritual darkness of the world. It gives us hope for salvation, so that first candle is traditionally called the Prophecy Candle. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies.

The second candle symbolizes peace. We remember the quiet night into which the Prince of Peace was born, and where he was born. It’s called the Bethlehem Candle.

The third candle represents joy—the joy felt by all who were present at Christ’s birth. We remember the joy of the shepherds and the songs they sang, so this candle is called the Shepherd’s Candle. This Sunday is also called Gaudete Sunday, which gives us a brief lift in mood from the quietness of our prayer and waiting. ‘Gaudete’ is Latin for ‘rejoice’. In some churches the vestments are rose colored, similar to the pink candle on our Advent wreath. On the third Sunday of Advent, as we near the day of the Incarnation, we begin to experience a quiet joy.

The fourth candle represents the love of God coming into the world in Jesus. The Angel Gabriel had announced to Mary that she would be carrying God’s Son into the world, and the angels in heaven rejoiced when it happened, so this candle is called the Angel’s Candle. The manger scene is often depicted with the chorus of angels singing in the night sky. Each Sunday as you light a candle you might ask your family to join you in praying,

“Heavenly Father, may this wreath and its light remind us that Jesus came to save us from our sin. Bless this wreath and all who gather around it as we prepare our hearts to celebrate Christmas. Come, Lord Jesus, bring hope, faith, joy, love, and life to our world. Amen.”

And then add for each Sunday (also each day of the week)

• “On this first Sunday of Advent (week of Advent) we pray for hope, that we may know in our minds and deeply in our hearts that Jesus Christ is the answer to the sin of the world.”

• “On this second Sunday of Advent we pray for peace, that we may be instruments of the Lord’s own peace, and seek and practice it in our lives.”

• “On this third Sunday of Advent we pray for joy, to share the good news of a baby coming into our world to save us from darkness and death.”

• “On this fourth Sunday of Advent we pray for selfless love, from God to all the world embodied in his grace and mercy in Jesus Christ.”

MAKE YOUR OWN ADVENT WREATH