Celebrating with an Advent Wreath - Blessed Beyond A Doubt

Each year we enjoy an advent wreath. It’s nothing fancy but it helps us concentrate on the true meaning of Christmas. We usually just use four red votive candles and a large white one for the center. We just place the candles around a small artificial wreath.

Here’s how it works:

On the first day begin with either a prayer or a Christmas carol. Light the first purple candle, known as the prophecy candle. The liturgical color purple is a sign of penance and longing as we wait for the birth of Jesus. With the lighting, talk about Jesus being the light of the world. Read the Advent Scripture of the day. Conclude by singing or praying. Have one child blow out the candle.

Light the same candle each day of the first week. Follow with the reading, Christmas carols or other meaningful activities. On the second Sunday light two purple candles, both of which are relit each night. The second candle is known as the Bethlehem candle.

The third week light the two purple candles and then a rose candle, or shepherd candle. Rose is a sign of joy and hope that He is coming.

Light the last candle, known as the angel candle, on the fourth Sunday. All four candles are lit each night that week to symbolize the growing brightness of Jesus’ coming.

The length of the Advent season depends on which day of the week Christmas falls on. You will have to adjust the appropriate readings to make sure the last days reading falls on Christmas day