ADVENT WREATH GUIDE
Including schools/family blessing ceremony
The Advent wreath is a traditional centrepiece Making the Advent Wreath a Daily Custom:
leading up to the Christmas season. A candle is lit The Advent wreath helps us keep our thoughts
on each of the four Sundays preceding focused on the coming of Christ at Christmas, so
Christmas. The first candle (violet) represents we should integrate it into our daily activities. This
hope, the second (violet) peace, the third (rose) could be done during daily morning school
joy, and the fourth (violet) love. The central white assembly/prayer, or as a class at a set time of the
candle is lit on Christmas Day and represents day. Everyone gathers around the wreath and
Christ. someone lights the appropriate candle(s). A
The wreath itself is also symbolic. The circle of leader prays the Advent wreath prayer for that
evergreen in which the candles are placed week, and the candle(s) are left burning until the
represents everlasting life. The seedpods, nuts end of the day or for as long as possible. (For
and cones used to decorate the wreath are detailed instructions, see How to Light the Advent
symbolic of life and resurrection, the laurel Wreath.)
signifies victory over persecution and suffering, Adapted from Catholic Online and [Link]
pine and holly signify immortality, and fruits (such Blessing for the Advent Wreath (two
as apples) represent the nourishing fruitfulness of examples)
the Christian life.
Lord God,
The word ‘advent’ means ‘coming’; lighting the
Your Church joyfully awaits the coming of its
candles on the Advent wreath symbolises the
Saviour, who enlightens our hearts
coming of Light (Jesus) into the world. The
and dispels the darkness of ignorance and sin.
Advent Wreath teaches us about Christian
preparation for celebrating Jesus’ birth and Pour forth your blessings upon us as we light the
making our hearts truly ready to receive Him. candles of this wreath; may their light reflect the
The Advent Wreath can be a way to involve even splendour of Christ, who is Lord, for ever and
very little children in learning about Christian ever.
preparation for celebrating Jesus’ birth and Amen
making our hearts truly ready to receive Him.
Lord our God,
Using the Advent Wreath in your home or
We praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ: he is
classroom:
Emmanuel, the hope of the peoples, he is the
On the first Sunday of Advent, you might wisdom that teaches and guides us,
sprinkle the wreath with holy water and he is the Saviour of every nation.
bless it before the first violet candle is lit. Lord God,
The appropriate Advent collect can be said let your blessing come upon us
as the candle[s] are lit each day of the as we light the candles of this wreath.
week, followed by the blessing before May the wreath and its light
meals, if you use the wreath at mealtime. be a sign of Christ’s promise to bring us salvation.
The second Sunday two violet candles are May he come quickly and not delay. We ask this
lit; the third Sunday, two violet and one rose; through Christ our Lord.
and all candles are lit on the fourth Sunday.
Amen
All four candles and the middle white candle
are lit on Christmas Day.
© Books of Blessings, 1989, p. 650.
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Last updated 2021
MAKE YOUR OWN ADVENT WREATH
Making Your Own Advent Wreath:
It is very easy to incorporate the Advent wreath into your preparations for Christmas. You will need five
candles—traditionally, three violet, one rose, and one white, though you can substitute them all with white. If
you want the candles to stay lit for a prolonged period of time you could use battery operated candles to reduce
risk.
You will need some green leaves/branches to arrange around the candles. They don't have to be in a circle;
you can place them in a straight line.
You can gather materials for the wreath from nature and assemble it individually or as a group. Suggestions
include: evergreens, holly, pine cones, apples, laurel, nuts and seedpods.
Make a paper Advent wreath.
Use the symbols on the following pages to create a paper Advent wreath.
• The seedpods, nuts and cones are used to decorate the wreath and are symbolic of life and resurrection.
• The laurel signifies victory over persecution and suffering.
• Pine and holly signify immortality.
• The apple represents the nourishing fruitfulness of the Christian life.
Participants can make their own individual wreaths using their handprints as the base on green paper or by
using green paint. Or you could make a large Advent wreath on a wall in green, you can decorate it each day
by printing and cutting out a symbol, writing a prayer on the back and pining them to your Advent wreath.
[Link]/advent
Last updated 2021
Christ Candle
Seed Pods
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Holly
Evergreen
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Apple
Pine cone
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Nuts
Laurel