Britta Lafont

Britta Lafont

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December 2, 2014 · Leave a Comment

Our Advent Wreath

Walking Through Advent

Advent-thefirstweekA friend emailed today to ask about Advent Wreaths and I thought it might be a nice to share with you what I told her.

Traditionally the Advent Wreath is some sort of greenery with the candles in it. Here is what I found while researching the Season of Advent.  This may be familiar to you now, as it was to me, but I had never realized the reasons it was done this way:

This simple arrangement consists of four candles set equidistant in a circle of evergreens, with a larger 5th candle placed in the middle. On the first Sunday of Advent the first candle is lit, on the second Sunday, two candles, and so on. Finally, on Christmas Eve, we light the Christ candle in the middle. Usually the three outer candles are purple, the liturgical color of Advent that symbolizes both penitence and royalty, but the candle for the third Sunday is rose colored, denoting the theme of joy. The Christ Candle is white. The circle suggests eternity, the greens symbolize life, and the cross of lighted candles points to Christ…by lighting a new candle each week, by accumulating the brightness, we signify our hope in the coming light of Christ, even as daylight diminishes and darkness rises with the approach of the winter solstice (40-41, Living in the Christian Year: Time to Inhabit the Story of God [amazon.com affiliate link]).

At our house, we have a grapevine wreath—I like to think we are Abiding in the Vine, like John 15. 😉  There are four silver candles with one large white Christ candle. Small grapevine wreaths are very inexpensive and I got mine at JoAnne Fabric. I use the Advent wreath as our table centerpiece, but you could put it anywhere.

We are lighting the 1st candle each night this week after reading the scripture selection for the day, then we pray the prayer for the week. We let the candle burn while we eat dinner and then put it out till the next day.

You can do the traditional candles, or any color you like. You could use candles you already have.  Since you are doing this for your family and to honor the Lord, you can decide what it is supposed to be like!

Mine is full of sparkly things. I like sparkle. Yep.  Here I used two types of beaded garland, some assorted pine cones, and some ribbon. I have the candles on a cake stand, and I put the whole thing on top of a table runner I have.

You might enjoy some inspiration from our Advent Wreath Pinterest Board.  You can see all the different choices people made. Some only use 4 candles. Some use different colors (like me – I used silver tapers and a large white pillar).  It is really up to you!  I put our wreath/centerpiece together after getting inspired on Pinterest, so check it out.

Here are some other alternatives I looked at when I was trying to decide:

Advent Wreath CollageAll of this tradition should not make you feel stuck.  There are no “rules”—just opportunities and choices.  Anything we add to our holiday repertoire should be beneficial to our family.

With that in mind, it doesn’t have to be expensive!  You can follow Janelle’s example (from ComfyintheKitchen.com); she created a Christmas centerpiece from things she already had around the house—a few more candles and she would have had an Advent centerpiece!

Christmas Centerpiece

 

Please let me know if you are using an Advent Wreath – you can add a comment below or post the picture on FB and tag me (@BrittaEllisLafont).  Don’t forget to sign up to get the family devotional scriptures for Advent – click here!

blessingssignature

Photo Collage:
Copyright: lbarn / 123RF Stock Photo
Copyright: michelleannb / 123RF Stock Photo
Copyright: MartinNovak / 123RF Stock Photo
Copyright: SergejsRahunoks / 123RF Stock Photo

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Previous Post: « Walking Through Advent: Week One
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In my typical social media introvert fashion, I re In my typical social media introvert fashion, I realize I didn’t share Gracie’s post on my feed at the time. 🤦🏻‍♀️
We are so thankful for this young man. ❤️ We are so thankful for this young man. ❤️
When the first day of school is also the day your When the first day of school is also the day your firstborn drives herself to college, it’s a lot. We moved her stuff into her dorm last week. Today she got up early to say goodbye to Dad (too early! Not pictured 😂), her brother, her doggo, her piano, and her momma. Before she left, she made blueberry scones to share with her little bro @sjoshlafont —they homeschool and relocated together, went to @westminsteroakmtn together, and have shared a love of music, Legos, superheroes (and villains), Transformers, and so much more. She played my favorite song. She even made banana bread to bring to her new roomie. @graciethenerd You are my little nut brown hare, and I love you to the moon and back. Auburn University is a better place because you are there! ❤️
Josh just started working in the bakery at Publix. Josh just started working in the bakery at Publix. Today he got his braces off. I just can’t believe it—where did the time go? @sjoshlafont
I’m a social media introvert mostly, but I’m r I’m a social media introvert mostly, but I’m reflecting today and feeling grateful for my sweet girl, my baby, my first-born. 🥰 She sure is a blessing to our family and her friends. Also, so grateful for the wonderful school where she spent the last four years—the perfect place to land after years of homeschooling on the move. “For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” (Ps 100:5) #curatingthegood #graduated🎓 #wisebeyondheryears @graciethenerd @lafonte04 @westminsteroakmtn
Best Thanksgiving that I can remember. I am so gra Best Thanksgiving that I can remember. I am so grateful for my people!! 🤗 ❤️@graciethenerd @thecardboardqueen @lafonte04 
#Psalm8 #highlandlakes #birminghamalabama
My friend @amy_young1234 is so generous! She has f My friend @amy_young1234 is so generous! She has found a way to share her birthday with friends all year long. This past week, I had to privilege to be her #FOTW You can read about her plan to celebrate her birthday by celebrating others in the link to her blog at the end of this post. That’s SO like Amy. 🤗 https://www.messymiddle.com/52-cards-52-weeks-52-years/ #curatingthegood
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