Advent Wreath: Background and How To Make Your Own

Wreath
The Advent wreath is an old German tradition that has gained much popularity in the last Iew
years. Most Christian homes and communities practice this custom during the Advent season.
This sacramental is rich in meaning, is easy to implement and can either be simple, costing little,
or very elaborate, costing more, handmade or storebought, with Iresh greenery, or permanent
greens.
The Advent wreath is a wreath, or circle, oI evergreens, made in various sizes. It is either
suspended Irom the ceiling by ribbons (preIerably purple) or placed on a table. The devotion is
usually incorporated during the Iamily meal, or during Iamily night prayers. Fastened to the
wreath are Iour candles standing upright, at equal distances. These candles represent the Iour
weeks oI Advent. Three oI the candles are purple, reminding us oI the penitential nature oI the
season. A rose or pink candle is lit Ior the Third Sunday oI Advent, also known as Gaudete
(rejoice) Sunday. The name is taken Irom the entrance antiphon or Introit "Rejoice (gaudete) in
the Lord always, again I say, rejoice." It is reminding us that the end oI Advent is almost here,
and we can hardly contain our joy.
The wreath should be in a circle, a symbol oI eternity, and a reminder that God has no beginning
nor end. The evergreen is a symbol oI eternal liIe and a reminder that God is immutable or
unchangeable.
The appearance oI the actual Advent wreath is variedeveryone has their own interpretation oI
the Advent wreath. The look oI your Iamily's wreath depends on how much time and creativity
you have to devote. Your Iamily can create their own special wreath, or add personal touches to
a store-bought wreath. With this devotion being so popular, one can go into any craIt or garden
store and buy a wreath. Any religious goods store carries several varieties, and the prices range
Irom inexpensive to very costly.
Some Iamilies want to create a new wreath every year, with everyone involved in the activity.
Using evergreens, however, does add the risk oI Iire hazard, especially as the greens go dry. For
less risk, or with smaller children or tight schedules, you may want to consider making a
permanent wreath that you can reuse every Advent.
Directions
There are Iive elements to the wreath: 1) Base, 2) candleholders, 3) greens, 4) candles and 5)
ribbons and decoration. Your wreath can either be live or permanent. Below are several diIIerent
ideas Ior each element, so you can create a wreath oI your own.
1. The Base:
a) Spaghnum moss wreath form The Iorm needs to be pre-soaked and Iull oI
moisture Ior the evergreen. This should be done overnight, excess water allowed to
drip oII. This pre-soaked Iorm then needs to be wrapped with green Ilorist wreath wrap.
-) Oasis or some type of wet florist's foam shaped into a wreath form This Ioam usually
comes in blocks, and you must Iind some round waterprooI container to cut and shape your Iorm
in. II you do some searching, there are Oasis wreath Iorms available.
c) Vine Wreath form You can put attach live or artiIicial greens to a vine wreath. The vine
wreath can either be purchased, or handmade using vines Irom wisteria, grape arbor, cane or
willow. Presoak or moisturize the vine ahead oI time, because the vine must be pliable to be able
to curl into a wreath.
d) Styrofoam, straw, or some other type of wreath form At any craIt store you can Iind a
variety oI wreath Iorms available in diIIerent materials. StyroIoam is the most readily available
and the least expensive. There are also straw Iorms, either wrapped in plastic or wire bound to
keep the straw Irom Ialling out. Any oI these Iorms do not provide any moisture Ior the live
evergreens. Unless you are using permanent greens, expect to either change the greens every so
oIten, or have a very dead wreath by Christmas!
e) Wire frame There are several types oI ready-made wreath wire-Iorms you can purchase, or
you could Iorm your own out oI strong wire, or even coat hangers. You could also purchase an
actual Advent wreath Iorm, consisting oI a simple ring and candleholders.
f) Ready-made Christmas Wreath You can purchase a ready-made Christmas wreath, either
artiIicial or live. Usually the purpose oI these wreaths is to hang on doors, so iI you are
suspending your wreath, make sure the underside is as attractive as the top.
2. Candleholders
a) Florist Candleholders
These are usually inexpensive plastic green holders, available at any craIt or garden
store or Ilorist shop. II using Ioam or moss type Iorm, these can be inserted directly
into the Iorm. Otherwise, these need to be securely Iastened to the wreath with Ilorist wire or hot
glue.
-) Spikes For the moss or Ioam Iorms, large nails or spikes can be inserted on the underside oI
the wreath so that the pointed side comes through the top, high enough to put your candles. The
spike cannot be too wide, otherwise it will split and break your candle. II you use a large pillar
candle, this option would be ideal.
c) Wire Use heavy Ilorist wire and twist around the bottom oI the candles (about 2 inches), then
Iasten the ends to the Iorm. This has to be very tight, with no movement Ior the candle.
d) Other ideas There are such a large variety oI candles and candle holders available in almost
every store. There might be diIIerent types oI attractive holders that could be attached to a
wreath Iorm. Just make sure you get something that will hold the candle and prevent the Ilame
Irom coming too close to the evergreens.
. Greens
a) Live Evergreens For live evergreens, the choice is endless: yew, any type oI
pine, cedar, Iir, laurel, holly, boxwood, spruce, hemlock, balsam twigs, even
magnolia leaves can give an interesting look. Use what is available in your area,
what is easy to manage, and what appeals to you.
The way your greens are cut depends on what type oI Iorm. II you just have a wire Irame, you
need to have branches that you can wire together and attach by Ilorist wire onto the Irame. II
using Iorms, like Ioam, you can have small twigs or leaves and attach them to Ilorist pics and
insert throughout, or iI the branches or leaves are sturdy enough, insert them without pics.
Check with your local craIt store to see iI there is a spray or preparation you can add to your
leaves to make them non-Ilammable.
-) Permanent or Artificial Greens There are a variety oI types oI artiIicial greens. You can buy
prepared Ilorist "pics" and insert them into your Iorm. Or with smaller branches, attach each
piece to the Iorm with strong Ilorist wire.
Another option to consider, especially with smaller Irames, like wire, is to purchase an artiIicial
garland. Measure the garland around the Iorm, and cut the garland just a little longer than the
ring. Attach the garland around the wreath Iorm with Ilorist wire. Shape the branches around to
hide the Iorm.
4. Candles
With the surging popularity oI candles, this by Iar is the easiest item to Iind.
Usually the candles are tall taper candles, 3 purple or violet and 1 pink. These can
be Iound almost anywhere. II you plan on burning the candles everyday, it helps to
have a Iew extra to replace the Iirst and second weeks oI Advent candles as they
burn down.
II you absolutely can't Iind these colors, use white or ivory candles and attach ribbons (don't let
the Ilames come to close) to the candlesthree with purple bows, one with a pink bow.
Most candles are paraIIin, which burn quickly and drip. II you can Iind them, beeswax candles
burn cleanly and smell wonderIul. As you continue this tradition through the years, just keep an
eye out Ior bargains and sales on purple and pink candles.
II you are incorporating a diIIerent type oI candleholder that can accommodate other sizes oI
candles, look Ior pillar candles, or other shapes to use in the wreath.
5. Ri--ons and Decorations
Keep in mind that although Advent is joyIully awaiting Christ's arrival, there still
should be some element oI penance. The wreath should not be elaborately
decorated, to show the diIIerence between the Advent Season and Christmas
season. Pine cones, seed pods, red berries can be added to the greens. You could
attach purple bows to the wreath, and suspend the wreath with Purple ribbons. But besides these
type oI decorations, the wreath should be kept simple to remind us oI the penitential nature oI
Advent.
For the Christmas season, the greens can be reIreshed, the candles changed to white, red or gold
and the ribbons changed to joyIul Christmas colors. Other options: add some Christmas balls or
other decorations inside the greens.
Activity Source: Original Text (JGM) by JenniIer Gregory Miller, Copyright 2003-2009 by
Advent Wreath: Making Your Own
Advent Ior children should rightly be a very busy time, starting with the making oI the Advent
wreath. This is a sacramental in which the whole meaning oI Advent is symbolizedand
symbols are a language children understand very easily. Included below are guidelines Ior
explaining this symbolism to your children, and also a Iamily blessing Ior the wreath.
Directions
II the wreath is to be hung Irom the ceiling, the Irame can be made in a number oI ways. It can
be wire coat-hangers unshaped and twisted to Iorm a circle (with cross-pieces to brace it); it can
be cut Irom plywood; it can be a cast-oII Iloral wreath Irame; it can be several circles oI heavy
cardboard cut and taped together and braced with cross-pieces, or it can be (as is ours) the
circular wooden Irame Irom an old ash-siIter which works incredibly well. Any oI these ways
is all right, so long as you make it. That is the most important point: to make it.
Candleholders, improvised or ready-made iI suitable, can be wired to, soldered to, or cut into the
Irame at the Iour points oI the compass (we made ours oI bouillon tins, nailed to the braces and
silvered). On a hung wreath the greens are Iastened to show Irom the bottom rather than the top.
It is tied with purple ribbons between the Iour candles and hung by the ribbons Irom the ceiling.
II purple ribbon is not available Ior Advent, you can dye white ribbon, and at Christmas you may
iI you wish change the ribbons and candles to red or gold, the colors oI divine joy and love.
One year we sprayed our wreath with water glass, an egg preservative purchased at drugstores,
but the advantage is debatable. It does not make the wreath noninIlammable, although it would
burn with diIIiculty; it does make it dry and crumbly. This may be because we use crow's-Ioot
(an evergreen creeper) and princess pine Ior our wreaths, and these get dry beIore the season is
over. II you decide to spray your wreath, place it on a wide spread oI newspapers on the Iloor or
table so that you won't have water glass all over everything. The principal protection against Iire
is to have the candleholders Iirm and the candles Iirmly in them. Our bouillon cube tins provide
three or Iour inches oI IireprooI candleholder. We never let the candles burn down too Iar, nor
light them unless there is a grownup present, and we have never had any trouble with our Advent
wreaths beyond some soot on the ceiling one year, and one scorch mark because we hung it too
high. The candles need not be blessed candles, although the beeswax candles burn the most
beautiIully and more slowly, and there are plenty oI ways to use up the leItover candle stubs.
A table wreath can be a simple wreath oI greens resting in a pan oI water to keep them Iresh, or a
large ringmold Iilled with wet sand which will keep the greens Iresh; or you may put greens in a
ringmold Iilled with wet plaster (oI course they do not come out!). Candlesticks are placed on the
table inside the wreath. The ribbon may be tied to the candle, or it may bind the wreath or be tied
on it in Iour bows between the candles.
Well, what does it mean?
The circle is a symbol oI eternity and the never-endingness oI God, and the evergreen is a
symbol oI eternal liIe and the never-changingness oI God. Tertullian in the third century wrote to
the Christians oI his day: "You are a light oI the world; a tree ever green." Children love to learn
by symbols.
We wondered one year iI the smaller ones remembered. "What does the circle oI the wreath
mean, dear? Do you remember?"
A small boy thought very hard and then said: "I can't tell you but I can show you." He hugged
himselI with both arms and went round and round in a wide circle. "See? God never stops."
"You mean God goes round in circles?"
"No! God doesn't go round in circles. God never stops means God never ends. He thought "He
never begins, either. Like circles." It is what the catechism says only in his words....
Did God have a beginning? God had no beginning. He always was and always will be.
The Iour candles in the wreath are Ior the Iour weeks oI Advent. Three candles are white Ior
divine innocence and one is rose to match the rose vestments permitted on Gaudete Sunday
(third Sunday oI Advent), reminding us oI the shout oI joy in that day's Introit. . . . "Rejoice
(gaudete) in the Lord always, again I say, rejoice." The rose-colored candle says that the promise
is almost IulIilled; come, everyone, rejoice!
The ribbon is purple Ior penance, but it is a diIIerent kind Irom the penance oI Lent. That
penance is heavy with sorrow, bitter and painIul with the knowledge oI our sins. We are sinners
in Advent, too, but the emphasis is diIIerently placed. The emphasis is on our longing, our need
not only Ior the great graces oI the Ieast oI His Nativity, Ior the renewing in our hearts oI the
mystery oI His birth but our need to be ready Ior the glorious moment oI His Second Coming.
This penance is a chastening, a cleansing, a hurrying and a waiting, a longing and an aching that
is at the same time both painIul and sweet. Like the Iamily waiting Ior the baby to come, we
could all but die with the waiting Ior His birthday, and His coming again in glory.
The Iamily gathers Ior the blessing oI the wreath on the Saturday night beIore the Iirst Sunday oI
Advent, or on the Iirst Sunday itselI, with the Iather or some older member oI the Iamily reading
the blessing.
Blessing of the Advent Wreath
ather. Our help is in the name oI the Lord. All. Who hath made heaven and earth.
ather. Let us pray. O God, by Whose word all things are sanctiIied, pour Iorth Thy blessing
upon this wreath, and grant that we who use it may prepare our hearts Ior the coming oI Christ
and may receive Irom Thee abundant graces. Through Christ Our Lord. All. Amen.
(Sprinkles wreath with holy water.)
The Iather or leader reads the prayer Ior the Iirst week, then holds up the youngest child to light
the Iirst candle, which is also lighted all through the week when the Iamily gathers in the room
with the wreath. Two candles are lighted by the oldest child the second week, three the third by
the mother, Iour the Iourth by the Iather. LeaIlets with the prayers are available Ior a Iew cents
each, or you may read the prayers Irom the missal, as they are the Advent Sunday Collects.
In Iamilies where there are many children it is impossible to satisIy all who want to light candles
since there are only Iour Sundays in Advent. We solve this problem in our house by letting them
take turns lighting the candles during the week. They are never lighted unless an adult is present.
When there is a guest who asks: "What a pretty wreath. Is it something special, with the candles
like that?" the children love to explain: "It's an Advent wreath, and the Iour candles are Ior the
Iour weeks oI Advent. Every week we light another candle, you see, and the light around it
grows bigger. That means that the birthday oI the Light oI the world is coming soon. Baby Jesus,
you know, and Christmas. It's His birthday and He's the Light oI the World."
Activity Source: Year and Our Children, The by Mary Reed Newland, P.J. Kenedy & Sons, New
York, 1956
Advent Wreath Prayers I
The Advent Wreath is a great tradition to implement in all homes, classrooms, organizations
during the Advent Season. These prayers accompany the lighting oI the Advent Wreath candles.
The prayers take just a minute, but help us Iocus on dedicating ourselves to Christ during this
season oI preparation.
The Meaning of the Advent Wreath
Obscure in origin it is believed that the Advent Wreath may have had its beginnings in the pagan
Iire wheel. In Christian symbolism the wheel or wreath stands Ior eternity. Its use is especially
Iitting during Advent the season oI the anticipation oI the coming oI our Lord.
Children love the beauty oI the simple traditional ceremony. Lighting candles in an Advent
Wreath is a simple way to start a tradition oI Iamily worship in the home. Those who participate
will cherish the experience all their lives.
The Advent Wreath Ceremony
The ceremony is simple. It starts at the evening meal on the Saturday beIore the Iirst Sunday in
Advent with the blessing oI the wreath.
(The head oI the household is the one designated to say the prayers Iollowing which various
members oI his Iamily light the candles. II the group is not a Iamily then a leader may be
selected to say the prayers and others appointed to light the candles.)
For blessing the wreath the Iollowing prayer is suggested:
ather: O God, by whose word all things are sanctiIied, pour Iorth thy blessing upon this wreath,
and grant that we who use it may prepare our hearts Ior the coming oI Christ and may receive
Irom Thee abundant graces. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then Iollows the prayer which is said beIore the evening meal each night oI the Iirst week in
Advent.
The First Week
ather: O Lord, stir up Thy might, we beg Thee, and come that by Thy protection we may
deserve to be rescued Irom the threatening dangers oI our sins and saved by Thy deliverance.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Each night the Iirst purple candle is lighted by the youngest child oI the household and is leIt
burning during the meal.
The Second Week
ather: O Lord, stir up our hearts that we may prepare Ior Thy only begotten Son that through
His coming we may be made worthy to serve Thee with pure minds through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Then the eldest child lights not only the Iirst but a second purple candle. Both candles burn
during the evening meal as beIore.
The Third Week
The joyIul Sunday in Advent (known as Gaudete) is represented by rose (or pink) instead oI the
penitential purple color. Each night during the third week the mother oI the Iamily lights the pink
as well as the two previously burned purple candles aIter the Iollowing prayer has been said.
ather: O Lord, we beg Thee incline Thy ear to our prayers and enlighten the darkness oI our
minds by the grace oI Thy visitation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The three candles are extinguished immediately Iollowing the meal.
The Fourth Week
The Iather oI the household lights all Iour candles in proper sequence during the Iourth week
aIter repeating the Iollowing prayer.
ather: O Lord, stir up Thy power, we pray Thee, and come; and with great might help us, that
with the help oI Thy Grace, Thy merciIul Iorgiveness may hasten what our sins impede. Through
Christ our Lord. Amen.
Candles can be replaced as necessary during a particular Advent Season without reblessing the
wreath.
After Advent
For the Christmas Season which Iollows immediately aIter Advent, candles and ribbons can be
changed to white. II you wish, the wreath itselI can be Ireshened with new greens and decorated
Iestively Ior use during the holiday period. Lighting all Iour white candles to burn during the
principal meal each day oI the Christmas Season is a customary and appropriate practice.
Prayer Source: Advent Wreath Prayers by Unknown, Unknown, Unknown