Advent Wreath 2011 (in 7 easy steps)

One of my personal traditions this time of year is to come up with a unique Advent wreath. This year I was inspired by two things: a piece of driftwood I found on the beach in Hilton Head over Thanksgiving, and the desire to incorporate some artwork into the wreath. And just so you know, not all my creations are wreath-shaped and I rarely use purple and pink candles.


THE SUPPLIES:

~a piece of wood or driftwood

~4 pillar candles and a decorative angel, or cross, or even a 5th candle (I used an angel)

~4 lengths of ribbon (three purple, one pink)

~length of burlap garland

~assorted greenery

~old Christmas cards

~inexpensive frames


THE ASSEMBLY IN SEVEN EASY STEPS:

~1~ Wrap a length of ribbon around each of the pillar candles so you have three purple and one pink.

~2~ Place candles down the length of the wood, with the decorative angel in the middle.

~3~ Add greenery

~4~ Weave burlap ribbon around the greenery and candles.

~5~ Cut out scenes of Advent from old Christmas cards (I used scenes depicting the Wise Men, the Shepherds, Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem, the Angels singing Gloria and, most importantly, the Nativity).

~6~ Place Advent scenes in small frames (I purchased mine from a craft store).

~7~ Stand the frames in front of each pillar, with the framed nativity scene in front of the angel.


THE RESULT:

THE SYMBOLISM BEHIND AN ADVENT WREATH:

evergreens = everlasting life
holly = crown of thorns
pine cones/nuts/pods = life and resurrection
four candles = four weeks of Advent
color purple = prayer, penance, preparatory sacrifices, royalty
color pink = rejoicing
circle (from a wreath; I used a length of wood instead) = eternity of God; God's never ending love
wood = the manger; the cross
Progressive lighting of candles = expection and hope surrounding Christ's birth


P.S. You can see some of my past Advent wreaths here and here.


*FOR MORE FUN IN SEVENS, VISIT JEN OVER AT CONVERSION DIARY FOR 7 QUICK TAKES FRIDAY.