THE ADVENT WREATH 

ADVENT WREATH

Since the 900s Advent has been considered the beginning of the Church year. The word Advent is from the Latin adventus for "coming" and is associated with the four weeks of preparation for Christmas. Advent always contains four Sundays, beginning on the Sunday nearest the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle, (November 30) and continuing until December 24. It blends together a penitential spirit, very similar to Lent, a liturgical theme of preparation for the Second and Final Coming of the Lord, called the Parousia, and a joyful theme of getting ready for the Bethlehem event.   

The Advent Wreath represents the time before Christ when people waited for the coming of the Messiah, the Light of the world. Each year in Advent people wait once again 'in darkness 'for the coming of the Lord, His historical coming in the mystery of Bethlehem, His final coming at the end of time, and His special coming in every moment of grace.

"Customarily the Advent Wreath is constructed of a circle of evergreen branches into which are inserted four candles. According to tradition, three of the candles are violet and the fourth is rose.” (Book of Blessings 1510).  

 The Advent Wreath is an important liturgical symbol which helps us to prepare the way of the Lord with the lighting of the candles each week.  During Advent, family and friends can gather around the Advent Wreath lighting the appropriate candle(s), read from the daily Advent meditation and sing Advent hymns. The Church's official Book of Blessings also provides a blessing ceremony for the Advent Wreath which can be used in the absence of a priest.  

The rose candle is lit the third Sunday of Advent, for this colour anticipates and symbolizes the Christmas joy announced in the first word of the Entrance Antiphon: "Rejoice" (Latin, Gaudete). For this reason, the Third Sunday is also called Gaudete Sunday, and rose colour vestments are permitted. The traditional colour of the vestments during Weeks 1, 2 and 4 is either purple or violet to represent penitential spirit. Advent is a season of hope, but a penitential spirit during this season is a fitting way to prepare the way of the Lord.  

 Using the same Advent Wreath for each year at home can be effective, as it gives a sense of continuity. As each Advent passes, I prefer to create it differently, without losing my continual sense of journeying with the Lord.  However, a few years ago, I used a different Advent Wreath to coincide with the liturgical season of years A, B, or C.  This approach helped me differentiate between Years A, B and C and head the call to prepare the way of the Lord seriously- a fresh start to the liturgical year. Today we are blessed with so many different types and styles from which to choose, some of which can be seen here. 

When lighting the Advent Wreath, it should be lit as a circular journey with the fourth candle at the front of it- the nearest to Christmas. In more recent times, some people prefer to add a white candle to represent Christmas.  However, although this has some practical merit for our home Advent Wreaths, it is important liturgically not to confuse the liturgical symbols- the Advent wreath is specific and associated with Advent with its 3 purple and one rose colour candle, whilst the Crib with Christmas.  

Why not check out what Pope Benedict has to say about the season of advent here.
The Advent reflections located there and perhaps my Opening Prayer series may also help your Advent to be a season truly worthy of waiting for the Lord.