The Advent Wreath
When I was introduced to the Catholic faith, I was first attracted by the beauty of the liturgy and the many traditions abounding with symbolic meaning. My interest in the richness of the faith led me to want to know God better and to become Catholic. That was over 25 years ago. I’m still intrigued by the symbolism found in the traditions, the music, the prayers, the actions, the liturgy and the rituals of the Church. One of my favorite traditions is the Advent wreath.
The Advent wreath is believed to have originated with pre-Christian Germanic people that used lit candles surrounded by greenery during the cold, dark days of winter. This was done to appease the sun-god in hopes of ensuring the return of warmth and light in the spring. During the Middle Ages, the pagan custom was adapted by Christians. As use of the wreaths in the winter spread throughout Europe, significance for their use in the Advent season developed. It wasn’t until the early 1900s that the tradition spread to America with German Catholic and Lutheran immigrants. During that time Advent wreaths were primarily seen in homes, both Catholic and Protestant. The liturgical changes of Vatican II brought an official prayer of blessing for Advent wreaths which resulted in their use today in many Catholic Churches. While there is no liturgical requirement to have an Advent wreath in the Church setting, the symbolism that has developed around it makes it a wonderful tool for teaching the community.
The symbols of the Advent wreath include ---
The shape: The ring of the wreath has no beginning or end. It reminds us of God’s never ending love for us.
The components: Evergreens (cedar, pine, boxwood, fir, holly, etc.) are traditionally used for Advent wreaths. These types of plants remain green even in the dead of winter. This reminds us of Christ’s eternal presence and our own hope for eternal life with him.
The candles: There are usually four candles on the wreath that mark the four Sundays of Advent. The flame of the candles help to break through the darkness and remind us of the Light of Christ as we await his coming.
The colors: Of the four candles of the wreath, typically three are purple and one is pink. The purple candles represent prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifice and remind us to prepare our hearts for Christ’s coming --- as we remember his first coming into the world as a baby and his anticipated second coming to judge the living and the dead. The pink candle represents the rejoicing of the faithful as we get closer to the coming of Christ.
The ritual: Traditionally the Advent wreath is blessed at the beginning of the season. The first week of Advent one purple candle is lit. The following week two purple candles are lit. During the third week (Gaudete Sunday) two purple candles and the pink candle are lit. Finally, all four candles are lit during the fourth week of Advent. For an Advent wreath at home, the candles are customarily lit at dinner time. A special prayer or song may be used. There are many prayer and meditation suggestions available in the office at St. Jude and online.
The use of an Advent wreath, whether at home or at Church, is a powerful visual reminder of the holiness of the season. It helps me to step back from the business of the secular world and take time to quietly reflect on the meaning of Advent and the upcoming Christmas season. The flickering flames of the candles can be an invitation to wait, pray, and prepare to welcome the light of Christ into our lives and into our world.
No comments:
Post a Comment