Every year as I put away the Thanksgiving/fall décor while pulling out Christmas decorations it hits me ... ADVENT! It sneaks up on you, that's for sure. So every year I leave the scarecrows, pumpkins, and half decorated Christmas tree to get our Advent wreath ready.
The tradition of the Advent wreath is such a beautiful way to bring the family together in an act of faith. There is beauty and solemnity in the lighting of a candle, and when we gather as a family around our Advent wreath to pray, we are reminded of this season's journey which will bring us to the manger on Christmas morning.
One of my personal traditions has been that of creating Advent wreaths which are unique in appearance, but true to the meaning behind the tradition. I create a new one every year. In the past I have used bedspring coils, a section of a corncrib, a piece of driftwood, baskets, platters, vintage trays, and framed art.
We always put the Advent wreath in the middle of our kitchen table because that's where we gather, and as we light the candle and say a prayer the wreath provides many layers of symbolism for the season:
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 = eternity of God; God's never ending love
wood = the manger; the cross
Progressive lighting of candles = expectation and hope surrounding Christ's birth
1- Can't find your Advent candles? Simple use regular candles and tie a purple or pink ribbon around each one.
2. Advent wreath on an antique metal tray.
3. One year I used rusty mattress coils, a wood plank from a corncrib, and pink and purple ribbons.
4. Pillar candles on a piece of driftwood with framed scenes of Advent (note: the framed images are cutouts from old Christmas cards).
5. Silver tray, holly leaves, and votive candles wrapped in purple or pink ribbons.
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