ADVENT WREATH

Here’s your chance to set the tone for the weeks before Christmas. You can purchase one on sale after Mass or you can make your own. Below you will find directions to assemble your own Advent Wreath. You can pick up everything you need at a craft store such as Michael’s. The lighting of the first candle will take place next Sunday, November __.

The Advent wreath symbolizes our time of waiting, our time of hoping. It helps us mark our days until Christmas. The Advent wreath ceremony provides you with an opportunity to pass on tradition, to share Scripture and prayer, and to help children understand that Christ, not potential Christmas presents, is at the center of our days of waiting.

1. With permanent marker, mark 4 “Xs” on Styrofoam ring, equal distances apart. (“Xs” mark where candles will stand.)

2. To form holes for candles, twist and turn candle in Styrofoam base, applying pressure as you twist and turn. Form four holes for the candles, but do not leave candles standing in place. They will be added after greens are wired to base.

3. Wrap garland of silk greens around Styrofoam base, covering outside, top, and inside of base. Leave bottom of Styrofoam free of greens.

4. Secure greens with florist wire, wrapping wire around Styrofoam base. Use wire cutters or old scissors to cut wire. Tie end of wire together to keep wire secure.

This ceremony can take place daily or weekly depending on when the family gathers together for dinner. One person reads the scripture passage, another reads the prayer, another lights the candle, then everyone joins in with the response.

Romans 13:11: It is time to wake up. You know that the day when we will be saved is nearer now than when we first put our faith in the Lord.

Heavenly Father, during this first week of Advent, we begin to mark the days until the birthday of your Son. As we light this first purple candle, we think of Jesus, our Hope for the world. May we, as followers of Jesus, bring hope to a waiting world. Amen.

Isaiah 11:10: The time is coming when one of David’s descendants will be the signal for the people of all nations to come together. They will follow his advice, and his own nation will become famous.

Dear Lord, as we light this second candle, we wait anxiously for Christmas to come. We pray that one day soon all nations will stand united, all people will live in peace, and that all people will come to know you and claim you as Prince of Peace. Amen.

John 1:6-9: God sent a man named John, who came to tell about the light and to lead all people to have faith. John wasn’t that light. He came only to tell about the light. The true light that shines on everyone was coming into the world.

Heavenly Father, we’re half way through Advent. Two weeks have already passed. As we light this pink Advent candle, we think of Jesus, the Light of the World. May we, as followers of Jesus, carry the light of your love into the world. Amen.

Micah 5:2: Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are one of the smallest towns in the nation of Judah. But the Lord will choose one of your people to rule the nation—someone whose family goes back to ancient times.

As we light our final candle, we know that Advent is coming to an end. Soon we will celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Savior and our friend!

Luke 2:11-12: Today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending us your Son, Jesus, on this Christmas Day. As we light this white candle, we celebrate how Jesus came to show us the way to the Kingdom of heaven. May we learn to follow his way by obeying your will and serving our neighbor. May the Holy Spirit give us strength to be like Jesus. May your Kingdom come for all of us.