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 The
Advent wreath is an old custom. Whether you are
on your own or surrounded by family why not make
one for your home this Advent? You will need some
kind of circular base (a wire coat-hanger will
do), some evergreen foliage, three purple candles,
one pink candle, one white candle (optional).
If you wish to add ribbons, feel free to do so.
Say a prayer and light one of the candles each
Sunday in Advent, gradually building up the light
as Christ's coming draws nearer.
The Advent wreath is rich in symbolism that can
help us to pray.
The circular form reminds us that God's love is
eternal, it has no beginning and no end.
The evergreen leaves of the wreath remind us that
God never changes.
The color purple represents sorrow. Three of our
candles are in this color to represent our sorrow
for our failure to live in so many parts of our
lives.
One candle is pink and this represents our joy
and happiness at the coming of Christ. We light
this candle on the third Sunday of Advent, also
called 'Gaudete' Sunday from the Latin meaning
'rejoice'.
The white candle, which is placed in the middle
of the wreath on Christmas Day, represents the
Christ-child born that day whose teachings will
be our guiding light for the coming year.
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