On this first Sunday of Advent I thought I would share a brief history of the the Advent wreath. Its believed that the Advent wreath comes from folk practices of the pagan Germanic people. People would gather evergreen wreaths and lighted fires, during the cold darkness of December, a sign for the coming spring and renewed light. Christians continued to keep this tradition alive. German Catholics and Protestants used this symbol to celebrate the Advent hope, Christ who is the everlasting light. This practice spread from Germany to other areas of the Christan world.
It is tradition that the wreath have 4 candles in a circle of evergreens. In Germany the candles are usually red. Here is the United States, 3 purple candles and 1 rose candle. The purple represents penitence and humility, the rose represents hope in the coming of Christ.
The first week of Advent we light one purple candle and do so everyday and say a prayer. Each week of Advent a candle will be added.
*The information provided was published in The Observer; Advent and Christmas Guide.
No comments:
Post a Comment