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