The Advent Wreath

Okay, so Advent begins this coming Sunday, November 28.

Here's a video to give you a bit of background:
American Catholic Video about the Advent Wreath

You can have one in your home this year without much expense at all:

• If you don't have 3 purple and one rose (Pink) candles, white ones will do. You don't need to use tapers. Pillar candles or tea lights are fine. IF you've got purple and rose-colored ribbon to wrap around the white candles or the candle holder, so much the better, but NOT NECESSARY!
• Go out and cut some greenery from around your yard: fir, boxwood... whatever is still green these days.
• Fashion a wreath (either a true circle or lay the branches in a circle-like shape), perhaps on a round tray (use foil or plastic wrap on the bottom if you have tapers that'll drip). IMPORTANT: make sure that the greenery will NOT be near the flame!!!  
• Arrange the candles in the wreath and, voila! Ready to go.

Now what?

• On the first Sunday of Advent, and the rest of that week, you light one purple candle. Maybe during dinner. Maybe during a daily prayer (Our bulletin this past Sunday had a great insert with daily Advent prayers). Maybe during breakfast: whatever works for your family. IMPORTANT: never leave burning candles unattended.
• On the Second Sunday of Advent and the rest of that week, light two purple candles.
• On the Third Sunday of Advent and the rest of that week, light the rose candle and those two purple ones. Do you need to refresh the greenery? Go ahead- no one said you have to keep the same branches for the whole month!
• On the Fourth Sunday of Advent (Dec 19) through Dec 24, light all four candles. That first one might be getting low-- watch out for flames too close to the greenery.

Enjoy this simple and beautiful way to mark our time in preparation for the coming of Jesus.