Pondering the Advent Wreath

The Catholic Liturgy for the First Sunday of Advent, Dec. 2, 2018. Gospel – Luke 21: 25-36. Theme: Pondering the Advent Wreath

Well, here we are at Advent once again. The weeks leading up to Christmas will be filled with holiday songs, festive decorations, multicolored lights, and evergreen wreaths. But as Catholics, before we get to the red and green of Christmas, we experience the purple and pink of Advent, which we see before us in the Wreath standing prominently in our midst.  

So many of our favorite Christmastime customs, which we often just kind of take for granted during this time of year, actually began many centuries ago when the vast majority of people were illiterate.  So, the stories of the Bible were passed on in ways that made it easy for people to remember through such tangible visible things like the Advent Wreath, Nativity Scenes and Christmas trees. These are not just holiday decorations but vibrant symbols of our faith.

For example, the Advent Wreath’s evergreen branches symbolize eternal life because the needles of evergreen trees never seem to wither and die. Its circular shape proclaims the awesome mystery of God who has no beginning or end.  And the candles of the wreath speak of the passing of time, with each one representing an important phase in the story of our salvation. Even the colors of the candle deliver a message, for purple is the liturgy’s color of preparation while pink is the color of rejoicing. So, the
Wreath tells us that we are preparing for something that will bring us gladness and joy.

The first violet candle represents the ancient origins of human history which began with the Creation of Adam and Eve. This candle calls to mind the promise God made in the Garden of Eden. After having turned away from Him by disobedience, the first humans repented and God in turn promised to send a Redeemer who would undo what they had done. By his perfect love and obedience, this Savior, called the Messiah, would lead the human race back to God.  And so, this first candle invites us to join in the story and become part of the solution by preparing our hearts and lives for the mission and message of Christ, the Promised One.

The second violet candle stands for the 4,000 years-long Era of the Old Testament that was characterized by the words of the prophets who foretold the Messiah’s coming.  This candle encourages us to believe that what God promises will come true. The Wreath reminds us that God gave even more than was expected in this Messiah, because he turned out to be God himself, come among us in the flesh. And so, this second candle calls us to never forget that, no matter how things may seem in our lives, God is a Father who always keeps His promises and who often delivers even more than we can hope for or imagine.

The third candle stands out from among the rest because of its color and it represents the Era of the New Testament that began with the birth of Jesus from the Blessed Virgin Mary. This pink candle stand for Joy and so we call the Third Sunday of Advent when it is lit, “Gaudete” or “Rejoicing” Sunday. Because of her divine motherhood, the Church gives to Mary the title, “Cause of our Joy” and this third candle invites us to join in the story of Mary, asking her to bring us to Jesus and to help us prepare our hearts for his coming.

Finally, we come to the fourth candle and we return to the violet color. This last candle symbolizes the final era of humanity, from the present day until that time when Jesus returns in glory to establish the Kingdom of God in its fullness among us. And so, the Wreath calls us to look forward to that glorious Day when Jesus will come again and good will triumph over evil forever, once and for all. In the meantime, this fourth candle reminds us that it is up to each one of us who believe in the Messiah to do the best we can, in our own little slice of life, to anticipate that Kingdom by being instruments of peace among those with whom we live, work and socialize.

So, every Advent, the Wreath retells a story that has been called “The Greatest Story Ever Told”.  And it invites us to join in this story and make it part of our own life-story. Everything the Wreath symbolizes can become something real and tangible for us today by taking a good honest look at ourselves, at who we are, at how we are living, and seeing where Jesus fits - or should fit - into all of this, as the Messiah, the Promised One, who comes to give deep meaning and significant purpose to our lives here and now


HOME ADVENT WREATH PRAYERS FOR EACH WEEK OF ADVENT

First Week

All-powerful God, increase our strength of will for doing good that Christ may find an eager welcome at his coming and call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit one God, forever and ever.

~AMEN.

Second Week

God of power and mercy open our hearts in welcome. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

~AMEN.

Third Week

Lord God, may we, your people, who look forward to the birthday of Christ experience the joy of salvation and celebrate that feast with love and thanksgiving. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

~AMEN.

Fourth Week

Father, all-powerful God, your eternal Word took flesh on our earth when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your plan. Lift our minds in watchful hope to hear the voice which announces his glory and open our minds to receive the Spirit who prepares us for his coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

~AMEN.

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Excerpted from A Prayer Book of Catholic Devotions