|
Home Advent Wreath Ceremony by Helen McLoughlin Advent begins Sunday, November 28th. Advent wreaths may be purchased at Cotters Church Supplies (for more information, call 800-446-3366) or most art supply stores like Michael's or in our very own Books by-the-Sea store. Blessing of the Wreath: Leader: Our help is in the Name of the Lord. Family Members: Who made heaven and the earth. Leader: Let us pray: O God, by whose word all things are sanctified, pour forth your blessing upon this wreath, and grant that we who use it may prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ and may receive from you abundant graces, through Christ our Lord. Family Members: Amen. S/he makes the sign of the cross over the wreath. Then the youngest person lights the first candle, and the prayer for the first week of Advent is said. Leader: Let us pray: Stir up your might, we beg you, O Lord, and come, so that we may escape through your protection and be saved by your help from the dangers that threaten us because of our sins. We pray to you who lives and reigns forever. Family Members: Amen. During the first week one candle is left burning during the evening meal, at prayers or at bedtime. Two candles are lighted on the second Sunday and allowed to burn as before. The prayer for the week is: Leader: Let us pray: O Lord, stir up our hearts that we may prepare for your only-begotten Son, that through His coming we may be made worthy to serve you with pure souls, through the same Christ our Lord. Family Members: Amen. Three candles, including the rose candle, are lighted on Guadete, the third Sunday, and during that week. The following prayer is said: Leader: Let us pray: We humbly beg you. O Lord, to listen to our prayers; and by the grace of your coming bring light into our darkened minds, you who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Family Members: Amen. All four candles are lighted on the fourth Sunday and allowed to burn as before. The prayer for the fourth week is: Leader: Let us pray: Stir up your might, we pray you, O Lord, and come; rescue us through your great strength so that salvation, which has been hindered by our sins, may be hastened by the grace of your gentle mercy, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Family Members: Amen. On Christmas Day, the purple and rose candles are replaced with all white candles, the greenery refreshed and the wreath decorated with flowers, etc. for Christmastide (end on 12th night, Jan. 6th) All white candles are lit at mealtime or bedtime and the Collect for the Nativity is said: Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten son to take our nature upon him, and to be born (this day) of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP pg. 213)
Christmas Worship: December 24, 2004 History of the Advent Wreath: German in origin - it was taken, so we are told, from the pagan fire wheel - the Advent Wreath represents the cycle of thousands of years from Adam to Christ during which the world awaited the coming of a Redeemer. It also represents the cycle of years since then that we have been awaiting Christ's second and final coming in glory. It bears four candles, equally spaced, three purple ones to be lighted on the "penitential" Sundays, and a rose colored one for Gaudete, the joyful third Sunday in Advent. Candles may be replaced as needed during the season. (Family Advent Customs by Helen McLoughlin, the Liturgical Press c. 1954)
Copyright © 2004 St. Augustine by-the-Sea
|
