On Friday, the day before the Red Run on Saturday 27th November which is starting at Victoria Park, we prepared the Mildmay chapel for Advent and for World Aids Day.
Advent is the Season of preparation for Christmas but it is also a season in its own right.
The first Sunday of Advent is the beginning of the Christian year.
The Advent Wreath
The Advent wreath is made from evergreen leaves which stand for eternity, God’s eternal love for The circular shape of the wreath (a crown of thorns) also stands for eternity (the ring goes around without beginning or end).
The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent, the season of preparation for Christmas. Purple is the liturgical colour of Advent and rose (or pink) is a special colour that may be used on the 3rd Sunday of Advent (known as Gaudete Sunday meaning ‘rejoice’ from the Latin antiphon at the beginning of Mass: ‘Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice!’ (cf. Philippians 4:4-5)). In some traditions, the first candle represents prophecy (the prophecy of the birth of a Messiah in Isaiah) or hope, the second love, the third joy, and the fourth peace (sometimes known as the angels’ candle after the angels which appeared singing ‘Glory to God in the highest and peace to men of good will’).
Sometimes a fifth white candle is added in the centre of the wreath. This is it It is lit on Christmas Eve to mark the coming of Christ the Light.
Blessing of the Advent Wreath
Advent prayer of blessing for lighting the Week One candle
Lord our God, we praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ:
He is Emmanuel, the hope of the peoples.
He is the wisdom that teaches and guides us.
He is the Saviour of every nation. Lord God,
let your blessing come upon us as we light the candles of this wreath.
May the wreath and its light
be a sign of Christ’s promise
to bring us salvation.
May he come quickly and not delay.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Image by KaLisa Veer
Blessing of the Advent Wreath
Blessing of the Advent WreathBlessing of the Advent Wreath
Blessing of the Advent Wreath
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