Next Sunday, December 3, the Church enters into a new season. Advent is a winter feast celebrated for the four darkest weeks of the year. The sun rises later and later and sets long before the day is complete. Christmas comes during the darkest of this dark time. It is the Feast of Light, the celebration of Him who is the Light of the World. And so, throughout these four Advent weeks, we light a candle for each of the weeks. As the advent of Christ overcame the darkness of the world, so also, does Christ overcome the darkness within our lives.
The wreath (a circle) is the symbol for eternity; the evergreen symbolize life; the purple candles, hope; the rose (pink) candle, a sign of joy for the Third Sunday and third week of Advent; and the number of candles (four) is symbolic of the four weeks of Advent and the of the traditional legends that the world waited four-thousand years for the advent of the Redeemer.
Many families keep alive the tradition of the Advent Wreath in their homes. If the Advent Wreath is not yet a familiar sight in your home, perhaps, this year might be the time to begin. The wreath can be placed on the dinner table or in another prominent place in your home where all can see and can be used as a part of the grace before each evening meal throughout the Advent Season.
Next Sunday, December 3, the Church enters into a new season. Advent is a winter feast celebrated for the four darkest weeks of the year. The sun rises later and later and sets long before the day is complete. Christmas comes during the darkest of this dark time. It is the Feast of Light, the celebration of Him who is the Light of the World. And so, throughout these four Advent weeks, we light a candle for each of the weeks. As the advent of Christ overcame the darkness of the world, so also, does Christ overcome the darkness within our lives.
The wreath (a circle) is the symbol for eternity; the evergreen symbolize life; the purple candles, hope; the rose (pink) candle, a sign of joy for the Third Sunday and third week of Advent; and the number of candles (four) is symbolic of the four weeks of Advent and the of the traditional legends that the world waited four-thousand years for the advent of the Redeemer.
Many families keep alive the tradition of the Advent Wreath in their homes. If the Advent Wreath is not yet a familiar sight in your home, perhaps, this year might be the time to begin. The wreath can be placed on the dinner table or in another prominent place in your home where all can see and can be used as a part of the grace before each evening meal throughout the Advent Season.