Christmas is drawing near... Advent Wreaths or Calendars

         It has become a custom in many families to have some kind of Advent wreath or calendar to count down to Christmas. Many people will have the 25 day calendars that start on December 1st and run though the 25th, a lot of the time interactive for the children to enjoy. I know growing up, my family always had some kind of Advent calendar. The one I remember the best, probably because my parents still have it, is one that had doors that we opened each day. Normally, there would be a small prize or piece of candy awaiting the person that got to open the calendar each day. Since there were 3 of us siblings, we had to take turns each day. Even on the days one of us were not opening the door, we were just as excited for the other person to see what treat they got for the day.
         A more recent tradition my husband's family and I have adopted is the Advent Wreath. We find it a fun way to get the whole family together and make sure we keep the real reason for Christmas in the forefront of our minds. The Advent Wreath is a way to celebrate the coming of Christ, essentially "kicking off" the Christmas season. Usually, the Advent wreath is constructed of a circle of evergreen branches (can be real or fake), and four candles are inserted into the branches, each to represent the four Sunday's of the Advent season. Traditionally, the circle symbolizes the love of God which has no beginning and no end, while the evergreens and the lit candles symbolize the persistence of life in the midst of winter. Normally, there are three violet candles and one rose colored candle, which match the liturgical vestments for the Sundays of Advent. According to Wikipedia, The three violet candles are the traditional color  for the penitential seasons. The rose colored candle is for the Third Sunday of Advent, known as Gaudete Sunday from the Latin word meaning "to rejoice." The First Sunday of Advent begins this Sunday, November 29th, with the lighting of a candle usually is accompanied with a Bible reading and prayers. An additional candle is lit each subsequent week until all four candles are lit on the final Sunday of Advent. Some other colors popular with Advent wreaths may red candles, white candles, or blue candles. Many, who have the white candle in the wreath call that candle the"Christ Candle," and is normally lit on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
        No matter which type of Advent wreath or calendar you use, let's try not to forget the true "Reason for the Season," the birth of Jesus Christ. I hope all of you have a Happy Thanksgiving this Thursday, and First Day of Advent this Sunday.

                                                                      Advent Wreath
                                                            Image from: inhisname.com

                                                                 Advent Calendar
                                                          Image from: alphamom.com