[Salvation]

For your information!

Think about making one for your family. Use it for daily prayers each morning or evening at the breakfast or dinner table.

[Salvation]

Advent Wreath Blessing

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Leader: Our help is in the name of the Lord.

All: Who made heaven and earth.

Leader: In the short days and long nights of Advent, we realize how we were always waiting for deliverance, always needing salvation by our God. Around this wreath, we shall remember God's promise.

Scripture Reading
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing.
This is the Word of the Lord.

(Alternate readings: Isaiah 63:16-17 or Isaiah 64:2-7)

All: Thanks be to God.

Lord's Prayer

Leader: Let us now pray for God's blessing upon us and upon this wreath.

Lord our God, we praise you for your child, Jesus Christ: the Emmanuel, the hope of the peoples, the wisdom that teaches and guides us, the Savior of every nation.
Lord God, let your blessing come upon us as we light the candles of this wreath.
May the wreath and its light be a sign of Christ's promise to bring us salvation.
May he come quickly and not delay.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

Light the first candle.

Leader: Let us bless the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God. (Making the sign of the cross)

The blessing concludes with a verse from “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” or another advent song.

Each day in Advent, perhaps at the evening meal, light the candles: one candle the first week, two the second, and so forth.

[Nora]

Just finished putting our wreath together. A little different this year, per our 7's efforts. We use a simple brass ring form with 4 candle cups on it.

Usually we mingle bits on greenery with rose, violet and gold beads (Mardi Gras persuasion, to be exact) and put a glass figurine of Mary and of Joseph on a round mirror in the center, adding the manger and the central Christ candle on Christmas, when we replace the 3 purple and 1 pink candle with 4 white ones for the 12 Days.

She is becoming crafty, as girls do at this age, and wanted to make a very pregnant Mary to wait in the center alone. Mary turned out pretty well. We have surrounded the wreath with a secondary circle of tulle and white roses, all tied up with a bow of purple and pink ribbon. The beads are at the Virgin's feet.

Stir up your power, O Lord!

[mlmr]

Althogh I grew up with the pink and purple advent candles, at our house we use dark green and one burgandy candle with a creamy white Jesus candle in the middle.


I know, I know, I am an apostate!!

[NYer]

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 1500, 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.

Blessing for the Advent Wreath
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. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

____________________

Collects for Advent

These prayers, faithful translations of the Latin Collects, or opening prayers, may be said every evening when the Advent wreath is lit.

First Week
Stir up thy power, O Lord, and come, that by thy protection we may be rescued from the dangers that beset us through our sins; and be a Redeemer to deliver us; Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Sp[rit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

In English-speaking countries, this Sunday was called "Stirrup Sunday", because the "stir-up" of the Collect was the signal to begin to "stir-up" the fruits for the baking of Christmas cakes and puddings.

 

Second Week
Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the paths of thine Only-begotten Son: that we may worthily serve thee with hearts purified by His coming: Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

 

Third Week
We beseech thee to listen to our prayers, O Lord, and by the grace of thy coming enlighten our darkened minds: Thou who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

On the third Sunday in Advent, Gaudete Sunday, the Church can no longer contain her joyful longing for the coming of the Savior. We light the rose candle and rejoice that our redemption is so close at hand. Gaudete comes from the Latin Antiphon, which begins, "Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete.." [Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say, rejoice...]. On this day, rose-colored vestments are worn, and flowers may decorate the chancel of the church.

 

Fourth Week
Pour forth thy power, O Lord, and come: Assist us by that mighty power, so that by thy grace and merciful kindness we may swiftly receive the salvation that our sins impede: Who livest and reignest with thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

From Celebrating Advent and Christmas: A Sourcebook for Families, published by Women for Faith & Family, PO Box 8326, St. Louis, MO 63132. Phone 314 863-8385. Copyright Women for Faith & Family. Permission is hereby granted to reprint these prayers for personal use or for parish or schools, with proper acknowledgement of source.)

[NYer]

can you fix this thread?

[T Minus Four]

We have an advent wreath I made several years ago out of styrofoam ring. I wrapped it closely with a piece of green garland, and "dug" holes for the candles with the melon baller :-)
When I bought the candles at K-Mart, the checker was very perplexed and wondered why so many pink and purple tapers had come through her line in the last few days so I explained about the advent wreath. She was quite interested.

My (Baptist) spouse finds the whole idea of an advent wreath fascinating, and loves the ceremony of it. We don't actually go though the formal prayers, but light the appropriate candles at the dinner table every night before we say grace, and leave them lit thru dinner.

[Coleus]

Is there a link which depicts ALL the symbols of the church, e.g. incense, holy water, advent wreath, etc., where they explain the meaning and custom of each?

[SuziQ]

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

[Salvation]

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.

---

[Gamecock]

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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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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