Here is the Advent wreath we purchased last year. Our family does the Advent wreath devotion before dinner. We light the candles and say the prayers right after we say grace. The candles are then extinguished immediately following the meal. The kids take turns each night blowing out the candles.
Each night the first purple candle is lighted by the youngest child of the household and is left burning during the meal.
On the second week, the eldest child lights not only the first but a second purple candle. Both candles burn during the evening meal as before.
Each night during the third week the mother of the family lights the pink, as well as the two previously burned purple candles.
The father of the household lights all four candles in proper sequence during the fourth week after repeating the following the Advent prayers.
The Meaning of the Wreath and Candles
As with any religious tradition, Advent Wreaths are symbolic in nature. The wreaths are circular, symbolizing the never-ending love of God. Evergreens are frequently used because the color green represents new life. Each candle also has a symbolic meaning, in addition to their use as a marker of time. The wreath holds four equally spaced candles, the three purple ones lit on the “penitential” Sundays and a pink one for Gaudete, the joyful third Sunday in Advent.
Week 1
Violet Candle: Hope
Week 2
Violet Candle: Love
Week 3
Rose Candle: Joy
Week 4
Violet Candle: Peace
The Advent Wreath Ceremony
For blessing the wreath, the following prayer is suggested:
Father: O God, by whose word all things are sanctified, pour forth thy blessing upon this wreath, and grant that we who use it may prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ and may receive from Thee abundant graces. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then follows the prayer which is said before the evening meal each night of the first week in Advent.
The First Week
Father: O Lord, stir up Thy might, we beg Thee, and come, That by Thy protection we may deserve to be rescued from the threatening dangers of our sins and saved by Thy deliverance. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Second Week
Father: O Lord, stir up our hearts that we may prepare for Thy only begotten Son, that through His coming we may be made worthy to serve Thee with pure minds. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Third Week
The joyful Sunday in Advent (known as "Gaudete") is represented by rose (or pink) instead of the penitential purple color.
Father: O Lord, we beg Thee, incline Thy ear to our prayers and enlighten the darkness of our minds by the grace of Thy visitation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Fourth Week
Father: O Lord, stir up Thy power, we pray Thee, and come; and with great might help us, that with the help of Thy Grace, Thy merciful forgiveness may hasten what our sins impede. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
After Advent
For the Christmas Season which follows immediately after Advent, candles and ribbons can be changed to white or gold. If you wish, the wreath itself can be freshened with new greens and decorated festively for use during the holiday period. Lighting all four candles to burn during the principal meal each day of the Christmas Season is a customary and appropriate practice.
You can find these and other ideas from Celebrating the Faith in the Home: Advent and Christmas for the Christian Family , by Teresa Zepeda and Laurie Navar Gill.
