The Advent Wreath
Pastor’s Window on December, 2006
The Advent Wreath
Advent is upon us, which means that we begin another Church year and another season of anticipation and hope as Christmas nears. Advent means “to come,” and is the season of the Church year in which we remember our Lord’s coming to us in the flesh as the Babe of Bethlehem to save us from our sins, He continual coming to us in Word and Sacrament, and His coming again in glory to judge the living and the dead.
One of the ways the Western Church has historically commemorated Advent is the lighting of the Advent wreath. This rite comes to us from the Middle-Ages and is observed by most congregations in the Lutheran, Roman Catholic, and Anglican traditions. Epiphany is no exception. Since the Advent wreath will again appear in our chancel this Advent, it is good for us to review its meaning.
The circular wreath itself reminds us that God is eternal. Three violet candles and one rose candle encircle this wreath, with one large white candle in the center. The candles that encircle the outside correspond with the four weeks of Advent. Each Sunday of Advent, one more candle is lit. The large white candle in the center is, of course, the Christmas candle. The light of the candles reminds us that Jesus Christ is the Light that has come into the world to dispel all darkness (John 3:19-21).
The first violet candle corresponds to the first week of Advent. It is the Prophet candle, symbolizing the hope and anticipation of Jesus’ arrival in the flesh. “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Is. 7:14; ESV). “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Is. 9:6). During the first week of Advent, the Church prays: “Stir up, we implore you, your power, O Lord, and come that by your protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins and be saved by your mighty deliverance; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen” (Lutheran Worship, p. 10).
The second violet candle corresponds to the second week of Advent. It is the Bethlehem candle, reminding us that God appeared in the flesh in humble manner, born of a virgin, in a stable, in the little town of Bethlehem. “And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7). During this second week of Advent, the Church prays: “Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of your only-begotten Son that at his second coming we may worship him in purity; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen” (LW p. 11).
The third candle, corresponding to the third week of Advent, is rose colored, known as the Shepherds’ candle, and it represents rejoicing as the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of Advent. The third Sunday in Advent is known as Gaudate, which is Latin for “rejoice.” “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them” (Luke 2:20). This week the Church prays: “Almighty God, through John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, you once proclaimed salvation; now grant that we may know this salvation and serve you in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen” (LW p. 13).
The fourth candle is violet, corresponding to the fourth week of Advent. This is the Angels’ Candle, reminding us of their announcement of the Good News of Christ’s birth. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased’” (Luke 2:13-14). During this fourth week the Church prays: “Stir up your power, O Lord, and come among us with great might; and because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen” (LW p. 14).
The candle in the center, the Christmas candle, reminds us that all our hopes and expectations are fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Light of the world, God in the flesh, who came to deliver His people from their sins, who continually dwells with His Church and gives us His gifts, and who will come again on the Day of Resurrection. We use the Advent wreath because it directs our attention to Christ. Families may want to get their own Advent wreath as a centerpiece for their table, to enrich their Advent devotions. This is especially good for teaching children. As a congregational family, the Advent wreath enriches our corporate devotion as together we pray, “Stir up our hearts, O Lord, and come.” Amen.
Pastor Krenz
The Advent Wreath
Advent is upon us, which means that we begin another Church year and another season of anticipation and hope as Christmas nears. Advent means “to come,” and is the season of the Church year in which we remember our Lord’s coming to us in the flesh as the Babe of Bethlehem to save us from our sins, He continual coming to us in Word and Sacrament, and His coming again in glory to judge the living and the dead.
One of the ways the Western Church has historically commemorated Advent is the lighting of the Advent wreath. This rite comes to us from the Middle-Ages and is observed by most congregations in the Lutheran, Roman Catholic, and Anglican traditions. Epiphany is no exception. Since the Advent wreath will again appear in our chancel this Advent, it is good for us to review its meaning.
The circular wreath itself reminds us that God is eternal. Three violet candles and one rose candle encircle this wreath, with one large white candle in the center. The candles that encircle the outside correspond with the four weeks of Advent. Each Sunday of Advent, one more candle is lit. The large white candle in the center is, of course, the Christmas candle. The light of the candles reminds us that Jesus Christ is the Light that has come into the world to dispel all darkness (John 3:19-21).
The first violet candle corresponds to the first week of Advent. It is the Prophet candle, symbolizing the hope and anticipation of Jesus’ arrival in the flesh. “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Is. 7:14; ESV). “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Is. 9:6). During the first week of Advent, the Church prays: “Stir up, we implore you, your power, O Lord, and come that by your protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins and be saved by your mighty deliverance; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen” (Lutheran Worship, p. 10).
The second violet candle corresponds to the second week of Advent. It is the Bethlehem candle, reminding us that God appeared in the flesh in humble manner, born of a virgin, in a stable, in the little town of Bethlehem. “And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7). During this second week of Advent, the Church prays: “Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of your only-begotten Son that at his second coming we may worship him in purity; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen” (LW p. 11).
The third candle, corresponding to the third week of Advent, is rose colored, known as the Shepherds’ candle, and it represents rejoicing as the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of Advent. The third Sunday in Advent is known as Gaudate, which is Latin for “rejoice.” “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them” (Luke 2:20). This week the Church prays: “Almighty God, through John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, you once proclaimed salvation; now grant that we may know this salvation and serve you in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen” (LW p. 13).
The fourth candle is violet, corresponding to the fourth week of Advent. This is the Angels’ Candle, reminding us of their announcement of the Good News of Christ’s birth. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased’” (Luke 2:13-14). During this fourth week the Church prays: “Stir up your power, O Lord, and come among us with great might; and because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen” (LW p. 14).
The candle in the center, the Christmas candle, reminds us that all our hopes and expectations are fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Light of the world, God in the flesh, who came to deliver His people from their sins, who continually dwells with His Church and gives us His gifts, and who will come again on the Day of Resurrection. We use the Advent wreath because it directs our attention to Christ. Families may want to get their own Advent wreath as a centerpiece for their table, to enrich their Advent devotions. This is especially good for teaching children. As a congregational family, the Advent wreath enriches our corporate devotion as together we pray, “Stir up our hearts, O Lord, and come.” Amen.
Pastor Krenz
posted by Pastor Krenz | 10:41 AM
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