Advent Adventures

Come, Lord Jesus

Advent is my favorite church season! There are so many meaningful traditions to help families focus on the meaning of this season of waiting. When my children were little we would light the candles on the advent wreath and turn out the lights. The candle light gave a warm glow and seemed to enhance our conversations at dinner time. I would encourage you to put an Advent wreath together today.

There are no hard and fast rules as to the materials you can use but there are a few symbols you will want to include. First of all be sure to start with a circle of some kind. Wreaths are circular with no beginning or end. They remind us of the love that God has for us. It has always been there, and will always continue. A wreath should also have some kind of green base. So you might want to start with a green paper plate, green play dough, a piece of green garland, green crepe paper, or boughs from a pine tree. The next items you will need are 4 candles. Light has always been a symbol of hope in the darkness. The candles on the Advent wreath remind us that Jesus is the light that came into our world. We use 4 candles to represent the 4 weeks of Advent. We usually use 3 purple (or deep blue) candles and 1 pink. Purple is used because, long ago, purple dye was very expensive and became associated with royalty. Because Advent was associated with the coming of our Kind, Jesus, we use purple. On the 3rd Sunday we light the pink candle. This is called Gaudete Sunday or Rejoice Sunday which reminds us  that we are over half way to Christmas! You can then add bits of ribbon or pine cones, or red beads or anything that you think would look nice. The last and most important thing is to use your Advent wreath to pray each day. You might like to pray the following prayer after you light your Advent candles or make up your own prayer!

      Loving God,

Bless our Advent time of waiting.

May this light be a sign of the coming of Jesus.

May it brighten our way as we journey towards Christmas Day.

Help us to share your light and love with everyone we meet today and tomorrow.

Amen