Catholic Activity: Advent Wreath V

Instructions on how to make an Advent crown or wreath.

DIRECTIONS

Making an Advent wreath or crown is a custom which originated in Germany and symbolizes the coming of Christ into a dark world. The wreaths consist of a circle of evergreen twigs with four candles standing in the ring. Sometimes they are hung from the ceiling and sometimes put in the centre of the dining table. The evergreen circle reminds us of God's never ending love and the candles of the light of Christ. On each of the Sundays in Advent a new candle is lit, so that by the Sunday before Christmas four candles are burning. Sometimes a fifth candle is added, usually larger than the others, and this is lit on Christmas Day. As the weeks go by and more candles are lit, the light gets brighter as we near the day when we remember Jesus Christ being born into our world. Here is a simple way to make an Advent wreath.

1. Fill a bowl with damp earth.

2. Decorate with holly, ivy, laurel or any available greenery.

3. Put four candles (white or red) into the earth.

4. Add ribbon. This can easily be done using florist's ribbon tied onto stab wires, also available from florists.

Light a candle on each Sunday in Advent when all the family is gathered. This could be at the main meal or the beginning or end of the day. Take turns to light the candle and perhaps use these words as the candles are lit. The person lighting each candle says: 'Come Lord Jesus.' And all reply: 'And bring love' (week 1); 'And bring hope' (week 2); 'And bring peace' (week 3); 'And bring joy' (week 4).

If there is a candle for Christmas Day, the person lighting the candle says: 'Jesus Christ is born today.'

All reply: 'Glory to God in the highest.'

Activity Source: Feasting for Festivals by Jan Wilson, Lion Publishing Corporation, Batavia, Illinois, 1990