Google+

Fun Facts about Advent Wreaths


It is hard to believe it is time to pull out the Advent wreath. I thought I would continue our Fun Facts Series and share some fun facts about Advent wreaths today. Be sure to check out our Fun Facts about Advent. 
  1. Besides meanings for each candle in the Advent wreath (Hope, Peace/Preparation, Joy, and Love) also have names: Prophecy Candle, Bethlehem Candle, Shepherd Candle, and Angel Candle (and of course the Christ Candle).
    2. AdventCandles
    By Jonathunder (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons

  2. The color of Advent is traditionally purple. Purple is the color of preparation, fasting, and repentance. It is also the color of royalty and sovereignty of Jesus Christ. Some churches use blue to distinguish Advent from Lent.  Blue is the color of waters of new creation and the night sky.
    3. Adventkranz andrea
    By Andrea Schaufler (Own work) [GFDL, CC-BY-SA-3.0 or CC BY 2.5], via Wikimedia Commons

  3. The third Sunday of Advent often has a pink or rose colored candle. It is also known as Gaudete Sunday in the Catholic Church. Pink represents joy or rejoicing.
  4. The fifth candle of Advent is white. It represents purity and light since Christ is the sinless and pure Savior. Those who receive Jesus Christ as Savior are washed of their sins and made whiter than snow.
  5. Traditionally the wreath is made with evergreen boughs. They represent the eternal life with Christ. The circle represents the continuous love of God with no beginning or no ending as well as the soul’s immortality.
  6. Holly leaves and berries used in an Advent wreath represent the crown of thorns from the Passion of Jesus and His Precious Blood. Pine cones, nuts and seedpods symbolize life and resurrection. Laurel signifies victory over persecution and suffering. Pine, holly and yew represent immortality. Cedar represents strength and healing.
  7. In the Middle Ages Christians borrowed the Pagan ritual of lighting candles in a wreath to signify hope for the return of the sun midst of winter. Catholic and Lutheran were among the first to formally adopt the Advent wreath.
  8. It was a tradition for the pope to give someone a rose on the fourth Sunday of Lent to liven up the somber tone of Lent. Advent was also a somber time and the rose custom became part of Advent with the candle being pink to represent joy.
  9. A tradition is that each week represents 1,000 years since Adam and Eve until the Birth of the Savior.
  10. The light of the candles signifies Christ, the Light of the World.
    11. Adventwreath
    By Kittelendan (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

  11. Some wreaths include a fifth white candle represented on Christmas Eve. Another has four white candles along with the purple and rose candles. The white candles will be lit throughout the Christmas season.

Sources:


Posted by
Labels: , , ,
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)