One of my family's
favorite Christmas traditions is the Advent wreath. On each of the four Sundays
in Advent (the four weeks before Christmas), our family gathers around the
wreath with cookies and eggnog and hot chocolate. We light the candles, read
Scripture passages, and sing carols. Not only is this cozy family time, but it
focuses us with joyful anticipation on the birth of Jesus.
The Advent
wreath became popular in Germany and Scandinavia, and worked its way to Britain
and America. Traditionally it's a flat evergreen wreath with four candles -
three purple and one pink, or four red candles - with a white candle in the
middle. Even the least crafty person in the world (that would be me) can put one
together.
Each Sunday one more candle is lit, going in a clockwise
pattern - purple (Prophet's Candle), purple (Bethlehem Candle), pink (Shepherd's
Candle), purple (Angels' Candle). On Christmas Day, all four candles in the
wreath are lit, plus the white Christ Candle in the center. This symbolizes the
coming light of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. This Sunday (December 2),
is the first Sunday in Advent. If you'd like to join the Sundin family in this
tradition, here are some family friendly, kid-tested ideas.
Each element
can be adapted to the ages of any children present - and personalized for your
family.
Advent Week One - the Prophet's
Candle.
Candles:
Light one purple candle, the
Prophet's Candle. Traditionally the youngest child lights the candles, but use your judgment.
Story:
(Adapt to the ages of your
children) The Old Testament prophets told of a coming Messiah, or Savior -
hundreds of years before Jesus was born. He would come into the dark world and
bring light. Explain how prophets spoke God's word to people. Ponder what the
world must have been like without the hope of Christ.
Scriptures:
Isaiah 11:1-10 (explains
how the Messiah would come from David's line)
Isaiah 7:14 (Messiah to be born
of a virgin)
Luke 1: 26-38 (the angel Gabriel appears to Mary)
Matthew 1:
18-24 (the angel appears to Joseph)
Songs:
"O Come, O Come,
Emmanuel"
"Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus"
Does your family or church
use an Advent wreath, and does it help you get in the true Christmas spirit? Labels: Advent, Advent wreath, Christmas, family traditions
