Each year we enjoy an advent wreath.  It’s nothing fancy but it helps us concentrate on the true meaning of Christmas. We usually just use four red votive candles and a large white one for the center.  We just place the candles around a small artificial wreath.

Here’s how it works:

On the first day begin with either a prayer or a Christmas carol. Light the first purple candle, known as the prophecy candle. The liturgical color purple is a sign of penance and longing as we wait for the birth of Jesus. With the lighting, talk about Jesus being the light of the world. Read the Advent Scripture of the day. Conclude by singing or praying. Have one child blow out the candle.

Light the same candle each day of the first week. Follow with the reading, Christmas carols or other meaningful activities. On the second Sunday light two purple candles, both of which are relit each night. The second candle is known as the Bethlehem candle.

The third week light the two purple candles and then a rose candle, or shepherd candle. Rose is a sign of joy and hope that He is coming.

Light the last candle, known as the angel candle, on the fourth Sunday. All four candles are lit each night that week to symbolize the growing brightness of Jesus’ coming.

The length of the Advent season depends on which day of the week Christmas falls on. You will have to adjust the appropriate readings to make sure the last days reading falls on Christmas day

Suggested Advent Readings

First Week

Sun. Is. 40:1-5
Mon. Is. 52:7-10
Tue. Is. 40:9-11
Wed. Gen. 3:8-15
Thu. Gen. 15:1-6
Fri. Deut. 18:15-19
Sat. Ps. 89:1-4

Second Week

Sun. Is. 11:1-10
Mon. Zech. 6:12-13
Tue. Mic. 5:2-4
Wed. Mal. 3:1-6
Thu. John 1:1-8
Fri. John 1:9-18
Sat. Mark 1:1-3

Third Week

Sun. Luke 1:5-13
Mon. Luke 1:14-17
Tue. Luke 1:18-25
Wed. Luke 1:39-45
Thu. Luke 1:46-56
Fri. Luke 1:57-66
Sat. Luke 1:67-80

Fourth Week

Sun. Is. 7:10-14
Mon. Luke 1:26-35
Tue. Is. 9:2-7
Wed. Mt. 1:18-25
Thu. Luke 2:1-20
Fri. Mt. 2:1-2
Sat. Luke 2:21-35

Have your children make an advent wreath craft.  And here’s another advent wreath craft.

Read all 10 Days of Christmas Traditions and Ideas!

Do you celebrate advent with your family?  If not, are you considering it?

Have you pinned this advent wreath idea yet?

I diligently pursue to keep Christ in Christmas each year a midst the craziness that seems to take over our lives this time of year.

The story of Christmas is magnificent to me. Just to ponder a little tiny baby, yet so mighty and powerful to bring us eternal life for all  who believe in Him.

It still is astounding to me.

And I want my children to marvel in this miracle,  too.

And to think the myriad thoughts that must have been going through Mary’s mind.

Two years ago, we made a small Christmas tree with the names of God on it.

We printed the names of God on a white piece of paper and cut them out with decorative scissors.  We glued them on the tree with a hot glue gun.

Next, we gathered the several different fabric swatches and cut them out into strips about 4 in. long and tied them on  the ends of tree.

Of course, we had to add some “bling,” so we just threw some tinsel on it.

Simple and festive, yet still representing the true meaning of Christmas.  BTW,  the picture doesn’t do this tree any justice.  It’s much cuter in real life.

Click here to see the “Princess Tree”

How do you keep Christ in Christmas?

Come link up your Christmas Traditions/Ideas post!

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