The advent wreath has really evolved in this modern day. It went from a circle of evergreen to now some are made of pewter, resin and even sometimes silver or brass. Through it all the symbol of forever, and endless circle is still present in the modern advent wreath.

Additionally there are now sometimes as many as five candles mounted on the advent wreath. But as we start in darkness as each week progresses and we get closer to the birth of Christ the number of candles lit become more making it brighter and bringing us out of our darkness, making this one of symbolic seasons of the liturgical year.

For a homemade advent wreath the advent candles were wired in to the wreath so the can be lit nightly as part of the advent ceremony. In addition to making our path brighter the light from the candles are representative of Christ who is of course the light of the world. The origins of the advent wreath was a wheel of light that was in the pagan tradition and would help light the ultra long winter nights.

There are 3 different candle colors, pink, purple or white. The basic premise is there is purple for penance, the pink for the joy and white which is the Christ candle.
The first week, Purple, is about the Old Testament and its prophets, calling to mind that Isaiah foretold the coming of Christ.

The second week is also purple and is often called the Bethlehem candle and is about love and penance. The third candle is transitional and joyful and Pink and we start to look forward. And, the fourth candle is again purple but represents peace.

Advent keeps the focus on Christmas

Well Advent is right around the corner and that means so is Christmas but Advent is a great way to help families keep focused on Christmas and what the true meaning of the season is.

The advent wreath keeps the focus on the stories that helped lead up to the birth of Jesus. Starting in the 6th Century, Advent began being the season of preparation for Christmas. Although originally Advent was not about Christmas and staying focused, it has developed into a very structured recap of the old Testament. The round circle that is the advent wreath is a circle that represents Gods mercy and love.

The four advent candles represent and mark a week of the month that forms the Advent season. The simple act of lighting an advent wreath and its candles help family members refocus their attention to the story of Jesus and away from the commercial aspects that will be Christmas.

One last observance can be added to the family advent celebration. The setting up of a Nativity Set allows for the family to recall the events of Jesus' birth and the circumstances he was born into. It is again a great way to shift the focus back to Jesus.

Jesse Tree and Avent

The Jesse tree advent wreath symbolizes the coming of Jesus Christ, the king of the kings and descendent of Jesse, father of King David. This is very well described in the first verse of eleventh chapter of Isaiah. " A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.

The Jesse Tree is appropriate symbol of Jesus Christ, who is revelation of the grace and faithfulness of the God. After God saved the descendents of Abraham from oppressive rule of the Egyptians and delivered them to good land, they forgot the God who saved them. After passing away of David, the later kings and religious kings served their own selfish interests and started worshipping false gods of the land.