| Advent wreaths are a popular choice for Christian | | | | purple candles for the first, second and fourth candles. |
| families as they prepare for the Christmas celebration | | | | The third candle is rose and used on the third Sunday |
| of the birth of Jesus. Candles are lit and prayers are | | | | as this day, called Gaudete Sunday in the Roman |
| said on the four Sundays of Advent that precede | | | | Catholic faith, is considered more joyous in anticipation |
| Christmas day. Families welcome the opportunity to | | | | of the birth of Christ. |
| emphasize the true meaning of Christmas and | | | | A fifth white, larger candle is often used on Christmas |
| spirituality to their children to offset the overwhelming | | | | day. This candle is placed in the center of the advent |
| commercialism of the holiday season and to prepare | | | | wreath and is called the Christ candle. Many people |
| for the coming of Christ on Christmas day. | | | | use four white candles after Christmas day until the |
| The custom of celebrating advent with the advent | | | | feast of the Epiphany on Jan. 6th which symbolizes |
| wreath is said to have originated in Eastern Germany | | | | the day the Magi or three wise men brought the gifts |
| as a Lutheran custom. The advent wreath was made | | | | of gold, frankincense and myrrh to baby Jesus. |
| with evergreens. Evergreens live through the cold, | | | | Many families make their own advent wreaths. Craft |
| winter months and signify strength and are always | | | | stores sell wreath rings and wire that can be uses to |
| alive. The roundness of the wreath with no beginning | | | | attach evergreens to the ring as well as the ribbon and |
| or end signifies the circle of life. It also symbolizes God | | | | candles needed. These same rings can be used to |
| who is thought to be eternal with no beginning or end. | | | | makeChristmas wreaths. Christian stores sell many |
| Advent is the four weeks before Christmas. Advent | | | | types of advent wreaths from brass plated wreaths |
| wreaths are traditionally used to celebrate on each of | | | | to wreaths with artificial greenery. Fresh, fragrant |
| the four Sundays of Advent. Prayers and readings are | | | | balsam fir advent wreaths can be purchased online for |
| said typically before Sunday dinner, or prior to every | | | | your own use or as a meaningful gift for your loved |
| dinner during advent. A new candle is lit on each | | | | ones. Keep in mind if purchasing an advent wreath for |
| Sunday, one candle on the first Sunday, two on the | | | | yourself or others to make sure it arrives prior to the |
| second, three on the third and all four candles are lit on | | | | first Sunday of advent which is December 2nd in |
| the fourth Sunday. Catholics and Protestants use | | | | 2007. |