The Advent Wreath

As if we'll remember :-)

We have one in the center of our table. Lit the first candle tonight.

Bump to find later :-)

**Let me tell you what my church is doing for Advent. It has instituted Sunday evening vespers and Benediction with Latin hymns, psalms, and gregorian chant.**

This is so wonderful K!

Wow! Real Benediction!

**Lit the first candle tonight.**

Moving from the darkness to the light of Christ!

See you later then!

Happy New Year Coleus.

The Advent Calendar

Thank you Salvation.

Thanks for the ping!

ping

Origon [sic] of advent wreath
Question from Joseph Giaime on 11-29-2002:

I am 71yrs old. I do not remember Advent wreaths being lit in church. When did this tradition begin?

Answer by Matthew Bunson on 11-30-2002:

The Advent Wreath is a ring or circle of foliage that holds four candles. One candle is lit each week of the Advent season to symbolize the impending arrival of Christmas and the birth of Christ, the light of the world. It is believed that the custom of the Advent wreath originated in Germany, possibly Bavaria, perhaps in the 18th century. It was adopted throughout other countries of Europe and eventually found its way to the United States.

The History of the Advent Wreath

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The History of the Advent Wreath FR. WILLIAM SAUNDERS

A Baptist friend asked me about the Advent wreath — its history, meaning, etc. I think I gave her a pretty good answer. Perhaps you could provide a little more information.

The Advent wreath is part of our long-standing Catholic tradition. However, the actual origins are uncertain. There is evidence of pre-Christian Germanic peoples using wreathes with lit candles during the cold and dark December days as a sign of hope in the future warm and extended-sunlight days of Spring. In Scandinavia during Winter, lighted candles were placed around a wheel, and prayers were offered to the god of light to turn “the wheel of the earth” back toward the sun to lengthen the days and restore warmth.

By the Middle Ages, the Christians adapted this tradition and used Advent wreathes as part of their spiritual preparation for Christmas. After all, Christ is “the Light that came into the world” to dispel the darkness of sin and to radiate the truth and love of God (cf. John 3:19-21). By 1600, both Catholics and Lutherans had more formal practices surrounding the Advent wreath.

The symbolism of the Advent wreath is beautiful. The wreath is made of various evergreens, signifying continuous life. Even these evergreens have a traditional meaning which can be adapted to our faith: The laurel signifies victory over persecution and suffering; pine, holly, and yew, immortality; and cedar, strength and healing. Holly also has a special Christian symbolism: The prickly leaves remind us of the crown of thorns, and one English legend tells of how the cross was made of holly. The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life found in Christ. Any pine cones, nuts, or seedpods used to decorate the wreath also symbolize life and resurrection. All together, the wreath of evergreens depicts the immortality of our soul and the new, everlasting life promised to us through Christ, the eternal Word of the Father, who entered our world becoming true man and who was victorious over sin and death through His own passion, death, and resurrection.

The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent. A tradition is that each week represents one thousand years, to sum to the 4,000 years from Adam and Eve until the Birth of the Savior. Three candles are purple and one is rose. The purple candles in particular symbolize the prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices and goods works undertaken at this time. The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, when the priest also wears rose vestments at Mass; Gaudete Sunday is the Sunday of rejoicing, because the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of Advent, when their preparation is now half over and they are close to Christmas. The progressive lighting of the candles symbolizes the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord’s first coming into the world and the anticipation of His second coming to judge the living and the dead.

The light again signifies Christ, the Light of the world. Some modern day adaptions include a white candle placed in the middle of the wreath, which represents Christ and is lit on Christmas Eve. Another tradition is to replace the three purple and one rose candles with four white candles, which will be lit throughout Christmas season.

In family practice, the Advent wreath is most appropriately lit at dinner time after the blessing of the food. A traditional prayer service using the Advent wreath proceeds as follows: On the First Sunday of Advent, the father of the family blesses the wreath, praying: O God, by whose word all things are sanctified, pour forth Thy blessing upon this wreath, and grant that we who use it may prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ and may receive from Thee abundant graces. Who livest and reignest forever. Amen.” He then continues for each of the days of the first week of Advent, O Lord, stir up Thy might, we beg thee, and come, that by Thy protection we may deserve to be rescued from the threatening dangers of our sins and saved by Thy deliverance. Who livest and reignest forever. Amen.” The youngest child then lights one purple candle.

During the second week of Advent, the father prays: O Lord, stir up our hearts that we may prepare for Thy only begotten Son, that through His coming we may be made worthy to serve Thee with pure minds. Who livest and reignest forever. Amen.” The oldest child then lights the purple candle from the first week plus one more purple candle.

During the third week of Advent, the father prays: O Lord, we beg Thee, incline Thy ear to our prayers and enlighten the darkness of our minds by the grace of Thy visitation. Who livest and reignest forever. Amen.” The mother then lights the two previously lit purple candles plus the rose candle.

Finally, the father prays during the fourth week of Advent, O Lord, stir up Thy power, we pray Thee, and come; and with great might help us, that with the help of Thy grace, Thy merciful forgiveness may hasten what our sins impede. Who livest and reignest forever. Amen.” The father then lights all of the candles of the wreath.

Since Advent is a time to stir-up our faith in the Lord, the wreath and its prayers provide us a way to augment this special preparation for Christmas. Moreover, this good tradition helps us to remain vigilant in our homes and not lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Saunders, Rev. William. "The History of the Advent Wreath." Arlington Catholic Herald.

This article is reprinted with permission from Arlington Catholic Herald.

THE AUTHOR

Father William Saunders is dean of the Notre Dame Graduate School of Christendom College and pastor of Our Lady of Hope Parish in Sterling, Virginia. The above article is a "Straight Answers" column he wrote for the Arlington Catholic Herald. Father Saunders is also the author of Straight Answers, a book based on 100 of his columns and published by Cathedral Press in Baltimore.

It seems that we Calvinists are not allowed to post anything the least bit controversially on Catholic Threads. Since that is the case, I present part one of the Calvininst Travelogue, FIJI

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Introduction

Facts for the Traveler

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Fiji

Fiji was once known as the 'Cannibal Isles' and its people were believed to be fierce and hostile; a recent history of coups has done nothing to dispel this notion in the minds of some travellers. Despite this, Fiji is beautiful, it has a pleasant tropical climate, the diving and snorkelling are superb and it has excellent facilities for tourists, whether they are on a tight budget or indulging in the luxuries of a plush resort.

Fiji has a unique history in the Pacific and today it is an interesting blend of Melanesian, Polynesian, Micronesian, Indian, Chinese and European influences. For nearly 50 years, until the military coup of 1987, the indigenous people of Fiji represented an ethnic minority in their own land. Fiji was the trade centre for the South Pacific during the 19th century, and the British claimed it as a colony in 1874. During the century or so that Fiji remained under British colonial rule, tens of thousands of indentured Indian labourers were imported to work on sugar plantations. Indigenous Fijians, however, managed to hold onto their traditional rites and practices - mekes (narrative dances), bure (house) construction, kava ceremonies, tapa-cloth making and pottery.

Warning

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs warns that lawlessness and further civil disturbance are a possibility in Fiji following an unsuccessful coup in mid-2000. While it is possible to travel safely to Fiji, some areas remain under night curfew, and civil unrest relating to the trials of the coup participants is possible.

Full country name: Republic of Fiji
Area: 18,333 sq km (7150 sq mi)
Population: 772,000
Capital city: Suva (population 141,000)
People: Indigenous Fijian 50%, Indian 45%
Languages: English is the official language, Fijian dialects are spoken by the indigenous Fijians (Bauan is the most spoken) and the Indian community speak Fiji-Hindi
Religion: 53% Christian, 38% Hindus, 8% Muslims, and 1% Sikhs
Government: Democracy
President: Ratu Josefa Iloilo
Prime Minister: Laisenia Qarase

GDP: US$4.3 billion
GDP per head: US$5,700
Inflation: 1%
Major industries: Sugar, tourism, gold, fish, lumber and clothing
Major trading partners: Australia, Japan and New Zealand
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How's the WEATHER in Fiji?

You are always welcome to post on the Catholic threads. We may disagree on some details, but I know we are headed toward the same goal.

Your imperialness, The Calvinist Swarm maintains a full service travel agency:

Weather Bulletin Issued from the National Weather Forecasting Centre Nadi at 3:30pm on Wednesday the 3rd of December 2003

SITUATION: A trough of low pressure just north of Fiji is drifting south. Associated cloud and showers affect most parts of the group.

Forecast to midnight tomorrow for the Fiji group: Generally cloudy. Some showers and thunderstorms about Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Lau and Lomaiviti groups. Elsewhere, occasional showers.

East to southeast winds, fresh and gusty at times. Moderate to rough seas. Outlook for FRIDAY : Some showers about the northern and easter areas. Afternoon showers elsewhere.

For Navua / Suva / Nausori :
Cloudy periods with some showers. A few thunderstorms during afternoon or evening. Outlook for FRIDAY : Some showers.

For Nadi / Lautoka / Ba : Cloudy periods with occasional showers. Outlook for FRIDAY : A few showers.

For Labasa : Some showers and a few thunderstoms. Outlook for FRIDAY : Some showers..

For Savusavu : Some showers and a few thunderstorms. Outlook for FRIDAY : Afternoon showers.

For Rotuma : Moderate easterly winds. Rain, heavy at times with a few squally thunderstorms. Moderate seas.

Outlook for FRIDAY : Rain easing.

You are always welcome to post on the Catholic threads. We may disagree on some details, but I know we are headed toward the same goal

Why thank you! That is most gracious of you.

It does seem that I ruffled a few feathers this morning. The fact is DoctorMichael was just about to explain a point I had made in a somewhat overbearing manner. Before he could respond, the thread was yanked. (see below)

For some reason, it seems more RC threads are yanked than Calvinist threads. Perhaps some of your peers are a little thin skinned?

Anyway, the message was clear. Don't mess with Catholics or Muslims, so from now own I will offer benign posts that are of general intrest!

<><

This thread has been pulled.

Pulled on 12/02/2003 12:00 PM CST by Lead Moderator, reason:

Entirely too much religion bashing of Muslims and Catholics that are too wide-reaching.

Okay

Thanks for the meterological report on the Canibal Isles. It'll give me something to gnaw on.

Let's not forget the cannibals in Germany

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3286721.stm

German cannibal tells of fantasy

Mr Meiwes appeared relaxed before the opening of his trial
A man accused of killing, dissecting and eating another man has gone on trial in central Germany.
The court heard how horror films had fuelled Mr Meiwes's childhood fantasies of eating school friends.

Computer technician Armin Meiwes, 41, is charged with murder, even though the victim allegedly volunteered for his fate by replying to an internet advert.

The gruesome incident was all captured on camcorder and the footage is expected to form part of the evidence.

"I had the fantasy, and in the end I fulfilled it," he said. The fantasy first developed between the ages of eight and 12, he added.

Mr Meiwes spoke of how he felt ignored by his father, and longed for a good-looking younger brother - whom he would bind to himself forever by consuming.

Internet link

It is Germany's first cannibalism case, and the world's media have gathered in Kassel to watch the proceedings.

Television images showed Mr Meiwes - wearing a jacket and a tie - smiling and talking light-heartedly to his lawyer moments before the trial began.

It was the first time that the self-confessed cannibal had been seen in public since his arrest.

The grisly details of the case caused a sensation in the German media when Mr Meiwes was arrested in December, 2002. My friend enjoyed dying, death. I only waited horrified for the end after doing the deed. It took so terribly long

Armin Meiwes

Cannibalism: A modern taboo

In a recent newspaper interview he admitted that he had killed and then partly eaten his victim.

Mr Meiwes advertised on the internet for a well-built male prepared to be slaughtered and then consumed.

"Slim and blond, that would have been the type", he told the court.

The victim, 43-year-old Bernd-Jurgen Brandes, answered the advert in March 2001.

Mr Meiwes told investigators he took Mr Brandes back to his home in Rotenburg, where Mr Brandes agreed to have his penis cut off, which Mr Meiwes then flambéed and served up to eat together.

Prosecutors say Mr Meiwes then stabbed the victim repeatedly in the neck and dissected the corpse.

Shock value

Legally it is a tricky case, says the BBC's correspondent in Berlin, Ray Furlong.

The court will test if Mr Brandes gave his life willingly

Cannibalism is not a recognised offence under German law and the defence will argue that, since the victim volunteered, this was no murder.

If the court accepts the defence argument, Mr Meiwes can expect a jail term of up to five years.

But the prosecution will push for a life sentence on the basis that Mr Meiwes is simply too dangerous ever to be released.

Meanwhile, Germans will continue to be treated to a media frenzy that plays on the story's unrivalled shock value.

And among the "highlights" will be the two-hour video that Mr Meiwes took of the whole incident on his camcorder, our correspondent says.

"The public probably won't be excluded from this part of proceedings; we have a tradition of open trials," says legal expert Felix Hardenberg.

"But the panel of judges will show only the relevant parts: what the victim is saying and doing before and during the killing."

Mr Meiwes has said that after his trial he intends to pass the time in jail - if convicted - by writing his memoirs.

The court will hear 38 witnesses and 14 sessions are scheduled in the trial, which is scheduled to end in late January.

The case only came to light when an Austrian student spotted another advertisement placed by Mr Meiwes on the internet and alerted police.