Picture this. Every evening during the last nine days before Christmas, a great crowd forms in the village streets. A small child dressed as an angel leads the figures of Joseph, Mary, and the donkey. Behind the figures, a procession follows made up of townspeople carrying candles and musicians playing carols. The procession stops at different homes, where scriptures are read and traditional songs are sung, begging shelter for poor Mary and Joseph. At each stop, the people in the homes sing a traditional response refusing Mary and Joseph because there is “no room at the inn.” Finally, on Christmas Eve, Mary and Joseph find a home with an open door and a welcome. The angel, Mary, and Joseph enter in and gather around a large cradle. The villagers follow and kneel around the nativity scene to pray. In the cradle, a figure of the infant Jesus is placed on a bed of straw and gently rocked while everyone around sings a traditional lullaby. After songs and prayers, everyone gathers together for a huge celebration with carols, feasting, firecrackers, and in some countries, a piñata. This tradition, celebrated all over the world is known by many different names; Las Posadas (The Inns), Golden Nights , and Seeking Shelter . It begins nine days before Christmas and it is a reentactment of the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Ways to Celebrate Before your evening devotion, assemble the family and sing advent songs as you process the creche figures of Mary, Joseph, and the donkey into the living room. Put the figures in a special place of honor and light a candle next to them. Remind your children that you are trying to create an atmosphere of consideration and unselfishness for Mary and Joseph. Or you could allow each of your children to make up for the harsh treatment that the holy couple received by hosting the figures in their room for the day. Instead of processing the figures in the living room, process them to the door of the first child’s room while singing Advent songs. Explain to your children that when it is their turn, they should do everything possible to create a warm and loving atmosphere for Mary and Joseph. Suggest cleaning their room, clearing a spot on their dresser for the figures, placing fresh evergreens around the figures, or ribbons, etc. Read a book about Las Posadas. I love this one  by Taomie dePaola. The illustrations are beautiful and it is such a sweet story! Make a traditional Mexican feast of tamales and cinnamon sugar fritters called buñuelos . Yum! the recipes -

Only nine more days until Christmas! Tonight a custom is celebrated all over the world which is known by many different names; La Posada (The Inn), Golden Nights, and Seeking Shelter. The events in the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem are commemorated at this time. This is a beautiful tradition where villagers with candles sing and go door to door, seeking shelter for Mary and Joseph. They sing songs and pray as they are rejected night after night. Finally, on the last night of Las Posadas, Mary and Joseph are allowed into a chosen home. The figure of baby Jesus is laid in a manger and everyone gathers around and sings a lullaby. Then everyone pours back into the streets for firecrackers, feasting, and merrymaking. If you want to celebrate this tradition in the home, before your evening devotion, assemble the family and sing advent songs as you process the creche figures of Mary, Joseph, and the donkey into the living room. Put the figures in a special place of honor and light a candle next to them. Remind your children that we are trying to create an atmosphere of consideration and unselfishness for Mary and Joseph. Or you could allow each of your children to make up for the harsh treatment that the holy couple received by hosting the figures in their room for the day. Instead of processing the figures in the living room, process them to the door of the first child’s room while singing Advent songs. Explain to your children that when it is their turn, they should do everything possible to create a warm and loving atmosphere for Mary and Joseph. Suggest cleaning their room, clearing a spot on their dresser for the figures, placing fresh evergreens around the figures, or ribbons, etc. Read a book about Las Posadas. I love this one by Taomie dePaola. The illustrations are beautiful and it is such a sweet story!

St. Lucy’s Day on December 13th is a beautiful opportunity to celebrate light in the midst of darkness. One of the most iconic traditions of this feast day is the image of St. Lucy—a young girl in a white gown, wearing a crown of candles, leading a procession with light and hope. The crown of candles has a special meaning tied to Lucy’s story. During the time of Roman persecution, Lucy would bring food to Christians hiding in the dark catacombs. To keep her hands free for carrying supplies, she placed candles in a wreath on her head to light her way. Her actions not only brought physical light to those in need but also symbolized the spiritual light she carried through her faith. When my kids were little, I wanted to bring this tradition into our home in a fun and creative way. Using just construction paper and a paper plate, we started making our own St. Lucy crowns—a craft that’s perfect for little hands to help with! This simple project is a meaningful way to teach your children about St. Lucy’s courage and generosity while inviting them to participate in her celebration. Whether your kids use the crown for a morning procession, storytelling, or just some festive fun, it’s sure to be a sweet addition to your St. Lucy’s Day traditions. So, grab your supplies, gather around the table, and let’s create something special to honor this inspiring saint! the supplies - the crown base - the leaves - the candle base - the flames - putting it all together - Note: You'll need to push the white candle sides in to unflatten and round back out. This will make them stand up better. Or fill each candle with cotton or stuffing to make it stand up better. How cute is this? I hope y'all have so much fun making them!

Homemade Saffron Buns for St. Lucy's Day My family has always loved celebrating St. Lucy’s Day on December 13th. We have such fun making saffron buns, a traditional food for the day (full recipe below!). We start the dough early, allowing time for the dough to rise, we gather around our island and laugh as we roll the dough into long “snakes” that we then coil into “S” shapes. We can hardly wait to let the buns cool down before we try them, they are just so good! We cut out paper crowns, we read a book based on the life of St. Lucy, and we offer up thanks for a young woman who was willing to stand for her faith even if it meant being martyred. Saint Lucy and My Daughter This year, St. Lucy's Day is especially poignant to me. My oldest daughter just turned 18 and is now a senior in high school. She is applying to colleges and eagerly waiting for acceptance letters. With one foot in the high school world, she is also having to prepare for college. She is in that transitional phase where she is thinking about her future as a woman while leaving the girl that she was behind. She is discovering who she is, what she likes and what she doesn’t like, what her passions are and what she wants to pursue. Everything about her life right now is moving away from the past and embracing the future. Her world is opening, her future is bright, and only God knows what it holds. As I thought about St. Lucy’s Day this year, I found myself wondering how old Lucy was when she died. And I discovered that she was 21, just three years older than my daughter. It hit me so hard this year that just like my daughter, St. Lucy was a daughter, a friend, and a member of her church. She, too, was transitioning into womanhood, discovering things for herself, and making decisions for herself. She, too, had passions, hopes, and dreams. Saint Lucy the Martyr But unlike my daughter, Lucy grew up during the most severe persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. Christianity was illegal during this time and many persecuted Christians fled and hid in catacombs. The people who were in hiding had very little food and St. Lucy devoted herself to providing relief. The catacombs were dark and in order to find your way around, you needed to carry candles. St. Lucy wanted to bring as much food as possible to the people so she needed to keep both of her hands free. She solved this problem by attaching candles to a wreath on her head. St. Lucy lost her father when she was five years old, leaving her and her mother without a protective guardian. She and her mother were devout Christians and as St. Lucy grew older she made a vow to never marry and to give her life in service to the Lord. She also made a vow to give her dowry to the poor. Her mother suffered from a bleeding disorder and feared for her daughter’s future so she arranged for Lucy to marry a man from a wealthy pagan family. When St. Lucy’s betrothed discovered that her inheritance was being distributed to the poor, he reported her to the governor and St. Lucy was seized and ordered to offer a sacrifice to the emperor’s image. When she refused, she was martyred. Processions with Gown, Sash, and Candles Because of her deep devotion and her willingness to die for the Lord, St. Lucy is remembered and celebrated in countries all over the world. Large processions are held to celebrate the day. A special girl is chosen to be St. Lucy. She wears a white gown which symbolizes purity and a red sash for martyrdom. Like St. Lucy, she wears a crown of candles on her head. In the darkness she leads a procession of women who are all holding candles. Every aspect of the celebration has special significance; the name Lucy or Lucia means “light” and she is remembered for bringing light and hope to people in darkness on her feast day which occurs in the darkest time of winter. On St. Lucy’s Day there is also a more intimate celebration in the home. A daughter in the family is chosen to represent St. Lucy. She rises early in the morning wearing a white gown and a red sash. She wears a crown made from branches with burning candles. The daughter wakes each family member up and serves them a cake called St. Lucy’s Crown, saffron buns, or gingersnaps and fresh coffee. Wheat Traditions Another major symbol for St. Lucy’s Day is wheat. In Sicily, where St. Lucy is from, there is a legend that a great famine ended on St. Lucy’s Day when ships loaded with grain entered the harbor. Because of this, there are many traditions surrounding wheat. In Italy, it is traditional to eat things made from wheat berries. The dish that they typically eat is called cuccia which is boiled wheat berries mixed with ricotta and honey. In Croatia and Hungary, it is traditional to plant grains of wheat on Saint Lucy’s Day. Every year on St. Lucy’s Day, wheat seeds are planted in soil on a pretty dish with a candle placed in the middle. If the seeds are kept moist, they will germinate and grow into plants that will be several inches high by Christmas. The new green shoots remind us of the new life born in Bethlehem. The candle reminds us of the Light of Christ that St. Lucy shared with her life. How to Celebrate St. Lucy's Day If you’d like to celebrate this special day, have your children create their own St. Lucy’s Day celebration. Read about the life of St. Lucy and spend time offering thanks for a young woman who was willing to spread the light of Christ in the midst of great darkness, even to the point of death. Have them dress in white with red sashes (anything white or red will do). Make a crown of evergreens from your yard, make candles with construction paper, and place them in the crown. Help your children make saffron buns, gingersnaps or, if you are feeling adventurous, cuccia. Then help them to serve the treats to the rest of the family. the recipe -

During this time of the year, oranges are everywhere! You may have seen orange pomanders in bowls or homes decorated with garlands of dried orange slices. You'll often see them added to stockings or shoes on St. Nicholas Day. Oranges during this time of year aren’t just decorative; they carry a beautiful reminder of generosity, hope, and the light of Christ. The Story Behind Oranges in Advent Legend has it that there was a poor man who had three daughters. The man had no money to get his daughters married, and he was worried about what would happen to them after his death. Saint Nicholas was passing through town when he heard the villagers talking about the girls and he wanted to help. He knew that the old man would never accept charity so he decided to help in secret. He waited until it was night and crept into the house with a bag of gold coins for each girl. As he was looking for a place to put three bags, he noticed stockings hung over the mantelpiece for drying. He put one bag in each stocking and left. When the girls and their father woke up the next morning, they found the bags of gold coins and the girls were able to get married. This led to the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out shoes, eagerly awaiting gifts from Saint Nicholas on his feast day, December 6. Oranges became a part of the day, representing the gold coins that St. Nicholas gave. An orange was placed in each stocking on St. Nicholas' Eve, and dried orange slices decorated the house. The oranges represent the bag of gold coins with their golden color. Ways to Celebrate with Oranges in Advent Oranges can take on several roles in your Advent traditions, whether as part of your decorations, gifts, or a family activity: Stocking or Shoe Tradition : On the eve of St. Nicholas Day (December 5), place an orange in your children’s stockings or shoes. Pair it with chocolate coins, small toys, or a prayer card about St. Nicholas. Orange Pomanders: Make an orange pomander ( an orange studded with cloves and other spices). Decorate your home with it or give it as a gift. Garlands and Wreaths : Decorate your home with garlands or wreaths made of dried orange slices. Their vibrant color and fragrant scent fill the space with warmth and anticipation. Family Baking : Incorporate oranges into your holiday baking by making spiced orange muffins, orange zest cookies, or mulled cider with orange slices. Acts of Generosity : Let the story of St. Nicholas inspire acts of giving. Share oranges with neighbors, donate to food banks, or gift fruit baskets to those in need as a reminder of Christ’s love and provision. How to Make Dried Orange Slices Dried orange slices are a simple, natural, and beautiful way to decorate for Advent. They’re versatile and can be used in garlands, wreaths, gift tags, or even as ornaments for your Christmas tree. 3–4 fresh oranges Sharp knife or mandoline Paper towels Baking sheet Parchment paper Preheat your oven to 200°F. Slice oranges into thin, even rounds, about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Thinner slices dry faster and more evenly. Place the slices between paper towels and gently press to remove excess moisture. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the slices in a single layer. Make sure they don’t overlap. Bake the slices for 2–3 hours, flipping them halfway through. Check regularly toward the end to prevent burning. Once the slices are dried and slightly translucent, remove them from the oven and let them cool completely. Creative Uses for Dried Orange Slices Garlands : String slices together with twine, alternating with wooden beads, cinnamon sticks, or greenery for a festive garland. Wreaths : Attach dried slices to an evergreen wreath using floral wire or hot glue. Gift Tags : Tie a slice to gift packages for a fragrant and beautiful accent. Ornaments : Hang them individually on your Christmas tree with ribbon or hooks. A Sweet and Simple Tradition Whether you’re using oranges to fill stockings, decorate your home, or inspire acts of generosity, these traditions add depth and meaning to the season of Advent. They remind us of the selfless love of St. Nicholas and the ultimate gift of Jesus, the light of the world. How will you celebrate with oranges this Advent? I’d love to hear your ideas and traditions in the comments below!

During Advent, you’ll often see oranges being given as gifts in stockings or shoes left out for St. Nicolas. You’ll also see homes decorated with garlands of dried orange slices. Oranges during Advent have a special meaning and it all has to do with St. Nicolas. Legend has it that there was a poor man who had three daughters. The man had no money to get his daughters married, and he was worried about what would happen to them after his death. Saint Nicholas was passing through town when he heard the villagers talking about the girls and he wanted to help. He knew that the old man would never accept charity so he decided to help in secret. He waited until it was night and crept into the house with a bag of gold coins for each girl. As he was looking for a place to put three bags, he noticed stockings hung over the mantelpiece for drying. He put one bag in each stocking and left. When the girls and their father woke up the next morning, they found the bags of gold coins and the girls were able to get married. This led to the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out shoes, eagerly awaiting gifts from Saint Nicholas on his feast day, December 6. It also led to the tradition of the gift of an orange in a stocking or dried orange slices decorating the house. The oranges represent the bag of gold coins and the dried orange slices represent the gold coins.

You might not know this (I certainly didn’t!) but the season of Advent has its very own songs! Advent music is very different from the music of Christmas. Christmas music is celebratory and filled with joy, the long-awaited Savior has come! But in Advent, we are waiting. The songs are filled with a deep longing and yearning for the promised savior to come. They acknowledge the darkness of the world in which we live and they yearn for deliverance and redemption. Think about the famous Advent song, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” and the deep desire for salvation conveyed in its words. O come, O come Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel Or another famous Advent hymn, “Lo, He Comes With Clouds Descending”. It is all about Jesus coming in glory at the second coming. The song swells and builds until it bursts out with the final stanza- Lo! he comes with clouds descending, Once for our salvation slain; Thousand thousand saints attending Swell the triumph of his train: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! God appears, on earth to reign These songs are amazing! I promise you will be blown away! Yes, it can be hard to sing Advent songs rather than Christmas songs but focusing on the songs of Advent only heightens and emphasizes its themes of longing and expectation. And think about it, not singing Christmas carols throughout Advent will make them that much more powerful when we finally get to sing them on Christmas Eve. When our family finally arrives at our church’s Christmas Eve service, we are all desperate to sing Christmas carols! When we stand for that first song, we are ready to fully celebrate what we have been waiting for all of Advent, the long-awaited birth of Jesus! With huge smiles on our faces and joy in our hearts, we belt out “O Come All Ye Faithful” like never before! I've created both a traditional and contemporary playlist for you. I hope they are a blessing to you and your family! Contemporary https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3ZNIrUbIZp9aPyJ4A5nnV3?si=vu94H-qGTpihXfkzjkQYow Traditional https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1cHOo8OB4G2jyofUWhu3d2?si=cT0WT3tvQDeGSWBqka4myQ

When I was growing up I had no idea who St. Nicholas was. I was raised in a Christian family and we even went to a liturgical church but St. Nicholas? I had never heard of him! Now, Santa Claus, the guy with the white beard and red suit? I knew all about him! He watched you when you were sleeping (creepy!) and he brought you presents on Christmas Eve. He rode in a sleigh with flying reindeer and you had to leave cookies out for him. As a child, none of this made any sense to me. I would casually run into “Santa” at the convenience store. He was driving an old beat-up Chevy, not a sleigh and there were no reindeer to be seen! How confusing! He was like the Easter Bunny or the Tooth Fairy, a weird cartoon character that would appear in physical form in a very cheap-looking costume at the mall or in front of Walmart. And I didn’t know why (I still don’t know why!), you had to dress up every year, go sit in his lap, and have your picture taken. When I became a mom, I wanted no part in the Santa Claus tradition. My husband and I were going to tell our kids that Santa wasn’t real and leave it at that. I was relieved and excited when I found out that what I knew of Santa Claus was just a cartoon version and that there was a real person underneath, a real person named St. Nicholas. The Real Saint Nick St. Nicholas grew up in what is now Turkey. He was born to wealthy parents and at a young age, gave up his fortune to follow Jesus. He was a devout Christian who dedicated his life to spreading the gospel and helping those in need. He was made the Bishop of Myra in the 4th century and took part in the great church council of Nicaea which gave us the Nicene Creed – the one we recite every Sunday in Church! He was extremely concerned with the welfare of the poor and children and there are many legends about his good deeds. The traditional story associated with St. Nicholas Day involves stockings. Legend has it that there was a poor man who had three daughters. The man had no money to get his daughters married, and he was worried about what would happen to them after his death. Saint Nicholas was passing through town when he heard the villagers talking about the girls and wanted to help. He knew that the old man would never accept charity so he decided to help in secret. He waited until it was night and crept into the house with a bag of gold coins for each girl. While looking for a place to put three bags, he noticed stockings hung over the mantelpiece for drying. He put one bag in each stocking and left. When the girls and their father woke up the next morning, they found the bags of gold coins and they were able to get married. This led to the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out shoes, eagerly awaiting gifts from St. Nicholas on his feast day, December 6. Feasting on Cookies on St. Nicholas Day Most of the Christian world still remembers St. Nicholas and celebrates his life on December 6. He is usually depicted as a bishop of the church with his cope, miter, and crozier. When people dress up as St. Nicholas, they dress like a bishop and when they make cookies on his feast day, the cookies are cut out in the shape of a bishop with a staff. They celebrate his feast day by putting out stockings or shoes that are filled with chocolate candies that look like gold coins and oranges. On the eve of St. Nicholas Day, our family made a traditional cookie from western Germany called Speculatius (recipe below). It is a crispy, buttery cookie with lots of cinnamon and it’s so delicious! We feasted on the cookies before bed and we read a sweet board book that explained who the real St. Nicholas was. After the children went to bed, my husband and I filled their stockings with little bags of chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil, an orange, and some other fun pieces of chocolate. My children were always so excited when they woke up! They would race to their stockings and eat their candy but never their orange! Before school, we would read the story of St. Nicholas again and pray, thanking God for a man like St. Nicholas who was willing to give up everything to follow Jesus and who dedicated his life to spreading the gospel and taking care of those in need. Looking back now, I am so glad that we learned about St. Nicholas and so glad that my family celebrated his feast day. Celebrating St. Nicholas Day was such a great way to educate our children on the true role of St. Nicholas. He dedicated his life to following Jesus. He cared for children and the poor. He gave to people who were in need. He would never have wanted to be the focus of Christmas! St. Nicholas would point us all back to Jesus. How to Make Speculatius

Happy first day of December! I can't believe we are already here! Time is flying for me. Is it for you as well? This is a huge month in the Liturgical Calendar. On December 3, the season of Advent begins. Advent is the beginning of the Liturgical Year for the Church. It is a season of longing, expectation, waiting, and hope as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus as the Christ Child and his second coming when he will set the world to rights. During the month, there are so many feast days to celebrate! We begin with two people, St. Nicholas, and St. Lucy, who faithfully served the Lord and devoted their lives to helping the poor. We will also celebrate St. Thomas, a disciple of Jesus who later became a father to the early church. Then we celebrate one of the highest feasts of the Christian Year, the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord, where we rejoice and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ! As soon as Christmas happens, we move into a new season of the church year, Christmastide or the Twelve Days of Christmas. These are twelve whole days devoted the the celebration of the birth of Jesus. There is no fasting allowed during these days, only feasting! The day after Christmas, we have a series of feast days all in a row: St. Stephen, St. John, and the Feast of the Holy Innocents (where we remember all of the firstborn male children who were killed by King Herod). Get ready! It's a busy month but an incredible month. Let us embrace it with wonder and awe! Follow along as I share everything you’ll need to celebrate this special month, including the history, recipes, and traditions. Helpful Links: Awaiting the Savior: The Sacred Journey Through Advent The Feast of St. Nicholas Shining Light in the Darkness: The Feast of St. Lucy The Feast of St. Thomas Christmas The Feast of St. John

Yesterday, I shared the history and symbolism of the Advent wreath , one of my favorite traditions to mark the season of waiting and preparation. Today, I’m excited to help you bring this beautiful tradition into your home by sharing a round-up of my favorite Advent wreaths. Whether you’re drawn to something traditional with evergreens and candles, or a DIY project to make with your family, there’s an Advent wreath here for every home and style. Let these wreaths inspire your own journey through Advent as we light our way toward the joy of Christmas. Here are my top picks—let’s dive in! Make Your Own: SUPPLIES Greenery from your yard OR Artificial Christmas greenery garland ( on sale for $11.99) Wire wreath form with ties 18-inch ($4.24) Advent pillar candles ($28.99) White Pillar Candle ($10.99) Lay wire form in the middle of your kitchen or dining table. Cut greenery from your yard, add to the wire frame, OR lay your artificial greenery garland around the wire form and attach it with the ties. Add your purple and pink pillar candles inside the circle (you'll form a square with the pillar candle). Place the white pillar candle in the middle. Ready Made: Advent Wreath With Candles: Brass 5 Candle Advent Wreath with Five 10" Candles $55.00 Advent Wreaths: Gold 5 Candle Advent Wreath $19.99 4 Candle Advent Wreath Ring by Vermont Christmas Company  $15.95 Set of 5 10" Wax Taper Candles by Vermont Christmas Company - 3 Purple, 1 Pink, 1 White $9.99 4 Candle Advent Candle Set  $12.99 with a $2 off coupon 5 Candle Beeswax Advent Candles  $29.99 4 Candle Be A Heart Muted 10" Advent Candles. On sale for $18.74, regularly $24.99 5 Piece Blue Advent Candle Set $14.99

One of my favorite ways to celebrate Advent is with The Advent Wreath. An Advent Wreath is such a wonderful visual symbol to help us mark the passage of time through Advent. On the very first Sunday of Advent, my family collects greenery from our yard, assembles the wreath, and puts it in the middle of our kitchen table. The wreath is such a powerful sign to our family that we are joyfully waiting for the coming of our Savior as we light a new candle every Sunday night. Everything about the wreath is symbolic and is an excellent teaching tool. The shape of the circle and the evergreens represent eternity. Candles represent a time of preparation and purification as well as the light or presence of Christ. The color of the candles is also symbolic. Violet represents penitence as we prepare our hearts for the birth of our Savior. Blue can also be used instead of violet to symbolize a sense of expectancy. The rose or pink candle represents Mary, the willing servant of God and the mother of our Lord. The white candle represents Christ and is lit on Christmas Eve. Every Sunday night, we gather as a family, have our Advent devotion, sing, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” and light the next Advent candle. It builds such anticipation to watch as every candle burns a little more. I love gathering in the evening, lighting the candles, breathing in the smell of evergreens, and reading through the story of our salvation with my family. Today I am sharing the supplies you would need to make your own Advent Wreath. I have supplies listed for a standard size wreath and for a large Advent Wreath like the one that I make every year. Once you have assembled your wreath, place it on the kitchen or dining room table, gather your family every Sunday night for Evening Prayer, light the appropriate number of candles and pray through your family devotions. And stay tuned because tomorrow I am sharing how to assemble the Advent Wreath! Standard Size Advent Wreath Supplies 1. Greenery from your yard 2. An Advent Wreath Ring Silver Advent Wreath Ring $18.99 Advent Wreath Ring by Vermont Christmas Company $15.95 3. Advent Candles Advent Candle Set $12.99 with a $2 off coupon Beeswax Advent Candles $29.99 4. A white pillar candle to represent the Christ Child. White Pillar Candle $13.99 5. A wire form to attach your greenery to. Metal Wreath Frame 12 inch $6.99 Large Advent Wreath Supplies 1.Greenery from your yard 2. A wire form to attach your greenery to. Metal Wreath Frame 16 inch $17.99 3. Advent Candles Advent Candles 1/2" x 12" $34.00 (Brass stands not included) Advent Pillar Candles 3"x8" $39.99 4. A white pillar candle to represent the Christ Child. White Pillar Candle $13.99

Advent is one of my favorite liturgical seasons, a time of expectant waiting, preparation, and hope as we move toward Christmas. One of the simplest yet most meaningful ways to mark the passage of Advent in your home is with an Advent wreath. This beautiful tradition holds so much meaning, inviting us to wait and pray for the light of Christ to break into the darkness of our world. If you’ve never used an Advent wreath before or want to deepen your understanding of this beautiful custom, let’s explore its history, symbolism, and how to incorporate it into your Advent celebrations. The History of the Advent Wreath The origins of the Advent Wreath can be traced to German Lutherans in the 16th century who would light candles in anticipation of Christ's birth. However, what we know as the Advent Wreath was created by a Lutheran pastor named Johann Wichern, who worked with the urban poor in the 19th century. During Advent, children at his mission school in Hamburg, Germany, drove him crazy, asking him every day if Christmas had arrived. He decorated a large wooden ring with 24 small red and four large white candles. One red candle was lit successively every day during Advent, and a large white candle was lit each Sunday. The custom became popular in Germany and was eventually adopted by other denominations and became a wreath with four purple or blue candles (more on that later), representing the four Sundays of Advent and a central white candle representing Christ. The Meaning of the Advent Wreath The wreath is a powerful reminder that we, along with Christians around the world are expectantly waiting for the coming of our Savior, as every Sunday in Advent a new candle is lit and the increasing light of Christ approaches, reflecting John 1:5: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Each component of the wreath has a rich meaning: The circular shape of the wreath represents eternity. The evergreens that dress the wreath represent the eternal nature of God. Candles represent a time of preparation and purification as well as the light or presence of Christ. The color of the candles is also symbolic. Violet represents penitence as we prepare our hearts for the birth of our Savior. Blue may also be used instead of violet to symbolize a sense of expectancy. The rose or pink candle represents a lightening of the penitential mood since Christmas is almost here. The white candle represents Christ. If you'd like to know what each candle means and the devotions that go along with the lighting of each candle, it's all in my book The Liturgical Home: Advent How to Use an Advent Wreath in Your Home Place the Advent Wreath on your kitchen table. Gather each night around the Advent Wreath or every Sunday. This could be before or after dinner or before bed. Light the appropriate candle or candles and do the devotion for the day. Closing Thoughts The Advent wreath is one of my favorite Advent traditions. During Advent, our wreath is dressed in evergreen boughs that my children brought in from the woods. We place it on our dining room table, and every night we sit down in the darkness, light the Advent candles, and learn anew the story of our salvation. As I look around, the light of the candles casts a soft glow and every face is filled with a sense of wonder. This is what celebrating Advent does, it takes the chaos and the frantic rush of our lives and it forces us to slow down. We are given, as a family, time to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ so that when Christmas finally arrives, we greet the day with true joy.  As we journey through Advent, may this beautiful tradition draw you and your family closer to Him. How do you use the Advent wreath in your home? Do you use purple or blue? Do you use it daily or weekly? Let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear about your traditions!