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Advent Wreath

ADVENT WREATH
The Advent wreath is one special way that we observe the season of Advent. An Advent wreath
looks a little like an ordinary Christmas wreath laid on its side. The difference is an Advent wreath
also has candles on it – usually four candles placed around the edge of the wreath, though many
Advent wreaths also have a fifth candle in the middle. In the church, we light one candle on the first
Sunday in Advent. The next Sunday, we light that candle, plus a second one. The third Sunday, we
light the first two candles, plus a third one...and so on until Christmas Eve when all four candles,
plus the fifth one in the center, the "Christ candle,” are lit.

An Advent wreath may have plain white candles, or it may have colored candles. If the candles are
colored, the candles for the first, second and fourth Sundays are purple, which is the liturgical color
of the Advent season. The purple stands for penance. The candle for the third Sunday is rosecolored
(a special shade of pinkish-purple), because it is lit halfway through the Advent season,
when we are starting to relax a little in anticipation of Christmas. The center candle, if there is one,
is white, which is the liturgical color for Christmas.
Many families enjoy having their own Advent wreath at home. You can buy an Advent wreath, but
it's very easy (and fun!) to make your own.

Making a Traditional Advent Wreath
Supplies: small green wreath (real or artificial)
5 candles (3 purple, 1 pink, 1 white or 5 white)
Place the wreath flat on a table and position the purple and pink candles on the wreath. Position the
white candle in the center of the wreath.

Making a Children’s Advent Wreath
Supplies: sturdy paper plate (set right side up)
green construction paper
glue
scissors
5 votive candles (3 purple, 1 pink, 1 white or 5 white)
Trace and cut out lots of handprints of the whole family using the green construction paper. Glue
these handprints around the edge of the plate. Overlap the handprints in order to make the wreath
full. You can use a washable red stamp pad to make clusters of thumbprints as the “berries” on the
wreath, if you like. Position the purple and pink candles on the wreath. Position the white candle in
the center of the wreath.
Never leave candles burning unattended. Adults should be present any time the candles are lit.
NOTE: Short Advent wreath candlelighting meditations for home and church use produced by the General Board of Discipleship are available on the GBOD Worship Web site. (http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=45396)


CHRISMON ORNAMENTS
Chrismon Ornaments, traditionally gold and white, are monograms and emblems standing for Christ and the story of salvation.  The word chrismon literally means Christ’s monogram.  To learn more about or see photos of chrismons visit http://www.crivoice.org/symbols/chrismon.html

Chrismon Ornaments can be made from paper and glitter, wood and paint.  They can be crosstitched, designed with beads or shaped into a 3-D ornament.  They are a variety of resources available to instruct you in making Chrismons based on your level of expertise and creativity.  Be creative, learn together and decorate the tree in a uniquely Christian way.