Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you. Help Now >
The Advent Wreath
The Advent Wreath, a venerable European
tradition, can be a way to involve even very little children in learning
about Christian preparation - not only for celebrating Our Lord's birth, but
to make our hearts truly ready to receive Him.
The wreath's symbolism of the advent (coming) of Light into the world is clear. The gradual lighting of the four candles, one on each Sunday of the Advent season, combined with the liturgical colors of the candles (purple is the penitential color used during Advent and Lent; rose is a liturgical color used only on Gaudete Sunday in Advent and Laetare Sunday in Lent) help to symbolize not only our expectation and hope in Our Savior's first coming into the world, but also in his Second Coming as Judge at the end of the world.
The wreath itself is also symbolic. The circle of evergreen in which the candles are placed represents everlasting life. The seedpods, nuts and cones used to decorate the wreath are symbolic of resurrection, and fruits represent the nourishing fruitfulness of the Christian life.
Gathering materials for the wreath-perhaps on an outing in the park or woods, or even in the backyard- and assembling it at home is an interesting family project in which even the youngest children can participate.
On the first Sunday of Advent, you may sprinkle the wreath with holy water and bless it before the first purple candle is lit. The appropriate Advent collect can be said as the candle[s] are lit each day of the week, followed by the blessing before meals, if you use the wreath at mealtime. The second Sunday two purple candles are lit; the third Sunday, two purple and one rose; and all candles are lit on the fourth Sunday.
Children who are old enough can take turns lighting the candles. (The littlest ones can blow them out at the end of the meal.) If you use the wreath at mealtime, it is helpful to place it on a tray or platter so it can be moved, and to protect the table from candle wax.
On Christmas Day, all the greens and decorations are replaced with fresh ones, and four new white candles, symbolizing Christ, replace the colored ones and are burned throughout the Christmas season. The Advent season is a good time to pray the Angelus at family meals.
Blessing for the Advent Wreath
O God, by whose word all things are sanctified, pour forth thy blessing upon this wreath and grant that we who use it may prepare our hearts for the Coming of Christ, and may receive from thee abundant graces. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Blessing of Advent Wreaths
P. Blessed are you, O Lord our God, king of the universe. You sent your Son to be the Light of the world and to spread his light of love to all. Bless us and accept + these wreaths of light made from our hands. May their ever increasing brightness be a sign to us of the approaching nearness of your Son, that we might prepare in joy for his humble birth in a manger and be ready to receive him at his coming again in glory; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C. Amen
From Celebrating Advent and Christmas: A Sourcebook for Families.
©
2001 by Women for Faith and Family
PO Box 8326, St. Louis, MO 63132.
Ph. 314 863-8385.
web site: http://wf-f.org
More Advent & Christmas
Advent & Christmas 2022
Begins Sunday, November 27, 2022
Ends on Saturday, December 24, 2022
"And the angel answered her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.'"
Christ the King
Sunday, November 20, 2022
Christ the King Day is a Catholic celebration that takes place on the last Sunday of the liturgical year in the Catholic faith. continue reading
Advent 2022 starts on Sunday, November 27, 2022
Advent starts four Sundays before Christmas every year.Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary
[holy day of obligation]
Thursday, December 8, 2022
![Image of Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary[holy day of obligation]](https://www.catholic.org/files/images/media//14812140994558_150.jpg "Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary[holy day of obligation]")
Blessed Virgin Mary in the first instance of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, ... continue reading
Advent 2022 ends on Saturday, December 24, 2022
Advent ends on Christmas Eve, the day before Christmas, every year.Christmas
Birth of Our Lord Jesus
[holy day of obligation]
Sunday, December 25, 2022
![Image of ChristmasBirth of Our Lord Jesus[holy day of obligation]](https://www.catholic.org/files/images/media//15226932365_150.jpg "ChristmasBirth of Our Lord Jesus[holy day of obligation]")
Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. continue reading
The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
[holy day of obligation]
Sunday, January 1, 2023
![Image of The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God[holy day of obligation]](https://www.catholic.org/files/images/media/2022/16665677875_150.jpg "The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God[holy day of obligation]")
The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God is a feast day of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the aspect of her motherhood of Jesus Christ. continue reading
Epiphany
Friday, January 6, 2023
The Epiphany signifies the visitation of the Biblical Magi to the Baby Jesus. continue reading
Advent Reflections
Reflection for every day of Advent
Advent is a period of waiting, like Lent. We are called to obtain the Sacrament of Reconciliation, to pray and fast, as we await the arrival of our ... continue reading
Advent Calendar
Every day of Advent
An Advent calendar has become a tradition for many families when celebrating Advent and the Christmas season. continue reading
Advent Candle
24 Days of December
An Advent candle is a neat way to mark off the days until Christmas. Such candles are commonly found in churches and sometimes in homes. continue reading
Advent Wreath
Each Sunday of Advent
The wreath's symbolism of the advent (coming) of Light into the world is clear. The gradual lighting of the four candles, one on each Sunday of the ... continue reading
Advent & Christmas Classes
14 Free Classes - Mobile Friendly
You’re joining our global classroom. Thousands of students from all over the world, each with their own unique story, learn at their own pace on ... continue reading
Advent & Christmas PDFs
FREE - Printable - Catholic
Free Advent & Christmas PDFs for anyone, anywhere; Use in your Parish Church - School - Bulletin Inserts. continue reading
Christmas Gifts
Free Shipping $70+
Make This Christmas Special with Gifts from Catholic Online Shopping. continue reading
Nativity Scene
Holy Family
The Nativity Scene is a meaningful expression for our religious faith. With it, we provide a captivating visual focus during the Christmas season. continue reading
St. Nicholas
December 6th
The true story of Santa Claus begins with Saint Nicholas. continue reading
Advent? What is it all about
The word Advent derives from the Latin word meaning coming. The Lord is coming. We may reflect that every year at this time we celebrate his coming... continue readingThe Christmas Story
To become the mother of the Savior, Mary "was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role." The angel Gabriel at the moment of... continue readingAdvent Daily Readings
The weeks of Advent remind us to set aside some of the hectic business of the holiday season, and to quietly reflect on the promise of the baby... continue readingFREE Catholic Classes Pick a class, you can learn anything
More Advent & Christmas
The Christmas Gift: Because Jesus is Born, We Can Be Born Again Watch
On the day called Christ-Mass, the whole world pauses - at a manger, a crib, a creche. The Nativity of the Lord touches every man, ... continue reading
Love is Born on Christmas Morn, and the World is Born Anew Watch
The Gospel passages proclaimed at the Vigil and the Midnight Mass of Christmas root the Nativity of the Lord, in the family history and ... continue reading
We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.Help Now >
5 Ways to keep Jesus in your Christmas celebrations this year
Christmas is a magical time of year when decorations line the streets, children are suddenly behaving and the Post Office struggles to keep ... continue reading
Advent Reflection - Day 25 - The Fourth Wednesday of Advent Watch
Advent Reflection - Day 25 - The Fourth Wednesday of Advent Within Mary's womb, our Savior stirs. The moment is near! The Holy Family turns ... continue reading
How to Handle Christmas Stress Watch
Christmas is a season full of joy and happiness. Families gather and spend special, meaningful time together. This should be a time where ... continue reading
Reaching Out: 7 Steps to a Blessed Christmas
Sending singing carols, sending Christmas cards, giving gifts...It's all tradition and fun, but perhaps this is a wonderful time to really ... continue reading
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.
-
-
Mysteries of the Rosary
-
Saint of the Day for Monday, Oct 2nd, 2023
-
Female / Women Saints
-
Saints & Angels
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
-
Popular Saints
-
Saint Feast Days in Oct
-
Saint Feast Days in March
-
Patron Saints A-Z
-
St. Michael the Archangel
Daily Catholic
- Daily Readings for Tuesday, October 03, 2023
- St. Ewald & Ewald: Saint of the Day for Tuesday, October 03, 2023
- Memore to St. Joseph: Prayer of the Day for Tuesday, October 03, 2023
- Daily Readings for Monday, October 02, 2023
- St. Leger: Saint of the Day for Monday, October 02, 2023
- Prayer for the Unborn Child: Prayer of the Day for Monday, October 02, 2023
Daily Readings for Tuesday, October 03, 2023
St. Ewald & Ewald: Saint of the Day for Tuesday, October 03, 2023
Memore to St. Joseph: Prayer of the Day for Tuesday, October 03, 2023
The Holy Grail of Learning: How Catholic Values Transform Education
You can make it possible for more students to come into a deeper understanding of the Lord and the Catholic faith. Our 7,000 video lessons are FREE for learners and teachers around the world, and we intend to keep it that way. But it takes millions of dollars to produce high-quality content.
Copyright 2023 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2023 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.
