The Advent Wreath and Scripture Readings

The advent wreath is a symbol of Christmas as well as it can be decorative.The wreath can be placed on the ding room table, suspended from a light over the table, fireplace alter, or a special place of its own. The wreath is never to be put on the altar.

The wreath is made of evergreens, holly, or, laurel and four or five candles. The Eastern Orthodox place six candles in their wreaths for their longer Orthodox traditions. There are to be few decorations although pine cones and holy are all right to put on. The wreath can be decorated with more festive decorations after the days are done.

The advent season begins the on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. On the first Sunday one candle on the wreath is lit then there are prayer and with scripture readings.Many families follow this up with dinner. When the prayers,scripture readings and dinner are over the candle is extinguished.This ritual is followed every Sunday night .On the following Sunday you light the candle for that night then you light the previous Sunday ,every week the candles are to be lit in the order they were previously lit.

· The wreath forms a circle, which is a symbol of eternity because there is no being, and no end.

· The pines are ever lasting.

· Laurel means victory.

· The holly is the picking is the crown of thorns on Christ’s head. The red berries for the blood of Jesus Christ.

· The Juniper is legend to be what provided shelter for the family of baby Jesus.

· The cedar is lasting and aromatic it represents strength and healing.

· The candles can be purple and pink, royal blue or neutral colors. Each candle has its own meaning. The purple is the color of royalty penitence and fasting. The pink candle stands for "Gaudete" which means rejoice .The royal blue is for royalty.The natural colors of the dawn before the sun comes up or the shades of midnight they are for the some modern day wreath colors.

Candle Color's and Symbol's

1. The first candle is the symbol of hope that Jesus is coming, it is also called the prophecy candle.

2. The second candle is the symbol of love it is also known as the Bethlehem in honor of the birth of Christ candle.

3. The third candle is a different color from the others and is the symbol of joy, it is also known as the shepherd’s candle.

4. The fourth candle is symbol of peace, it is also known as the angel’s candle.

The fifth candle is white and is the candle of Christ.

Here are some suggested readings of scriptures for the lighting of the advent candle

Week 1) Romans 15:12-13 Isaiah 60:2-3

Week 2) Luke 3:4-6 Mark 1:4-

Week 3) Luke 2: 7-15 Isaiah: 35 10

Week 4) John 3:16-17 Isaiah 9:6-7

Week 5) Revelations 3: 20-21

This is a nice Christmas decoration to have in your house and yet have the real meaning of Christmas in your home .This may also give you some new traditions to start with your own family, It can be adapted to fit into your lifestyle and religious beliefs

Romans:15 12 And again,Isaiah says , " The Root of Jesus will spring up,one who will arise to rule over the nations ; The Gentiles will hope in him . " (13 ) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him , so that you may overflow with home by the power of the Holy Spirit .

Isaiah:60-2 See darkness cover the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples,but the Lord rises upon and his glory appears over you .

Isaiah:60-3 Nations will will come to to your light , and kings to the brightness of your dawn .

Luke: 3-4 As written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet ; " A voice of one calling in the desert , ' Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight paths for him .( 5 ) Every valley shall be filled .every mountain and hill made low.The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth . (6 ) And all mankind will see God"s salvation .

Mark::1-4 And so John came,baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins .

Luke :2-5 He went there to register with Mary , who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child,(6) While, they were there , the time came for the baby to be born , (7) and she gave birth to her firstborn a son . She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger , because there was no room in the inn . (8) And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby , keeping watch over their flocks at night . (9) an angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified . (10) But the angel said to them , " Do not be afraid , I bring you good news of great joy that all the people . (11) Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you he is Christ. the Lord. (12) This will be the sign to you : You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger . " (13) Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with angel , praising God and saying , (14 ) " Glory to God in the highest,and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rest . " (15 ) When the angels had left them and gone into heaven , the shepherds said to one another , " Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened , which the Lord has told us about . " (16) So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph , and the , baby , who was lying in the manger.(17) When they had seen him , they spread the the word concerning what had been told them about this child,

Isaiah : 35-10 and the ransomed of the Lord will return.

John : 3-16 For God so love the world that he gave his only begotten Son , that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ( 17 ) For God did not send his Son into the world to condemnt the world,but to save the world through him.

Isaiah ; 9-6 For to us a child is born,to us a child is born, to us a son is given,and the government will be on his shoulders .And he will be called Wonderful Counselor , Mighty God , Everlasting Father , Prince of Peace . (7) Of increase of his government and peace there will be no end .He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom , establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever . The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this .

Revelation : 3-20 Here I am ! I stand at the door and knock . If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,I will come in and eat with him , and he with me .( 21 )To him who overcomes , I will give the right to sit with me on my throne , just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.