The Grapevine: My 2024 Advent Wreath and Calendar
By Rosalyn Queen on December 05, 2024
We spent the weekend putting away the Thanksgiving decorations and took out the first item to mark the upcoming Christmas holiday. The first item I get ready for the observance of Christmas is my Advent wreath and Advent calendar.
I always make my own wreath. I get a tray, place a wreath on it and add a few bows. I purchased three purple candles and one white one and place them on the tray within the wreath. I like to place my wreath on the kitchen table where I can see it first thing every morning.
We should start with the meaning of Advent. It means the coming and refers to the four-week period of the preparation of the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day. Advent starts on the Sunday nearest Nov. 30 and continues until Dec. 24.
The wreath contains three purple candles, which are lit one each week and then on the Sunday before Christmas the white one is lit. Advent is a period of fasting leading up to Christmas Day. The inventor of the wreath was Johann Wichern in 1839. He was a Lutheran pastor and in 1920 the Catholics in Germany adopted the custom. It moved to the United States in 1930.
I place the Advent calendar behind the wreath. It has 24 numbered flaps containing a bible verse. We open one door each day until Christmas. As you read each passage it gives you a minute to reflect on the passage.
My next Christmas decoration is my NATIVITY Scene. I made it back in the 1960s and have displayed it every year since. It is so meaningful to me.
On Christmas Day I replace all the candles with white ones in the wreath. I light them and let them burn all day.
This is a wonderful custom to practice in your family, especially with the children. It is never too late to start family traditions.
Speaking of traditions, the PWA is making their authentic pita piatas. Each will be seated on a Fiesta dish and costs $10.00. Call 304-624-6881 to get yours.
Stay calm as you get ready for the holidays, keep healthy and until next week “Now You Have Heard It Through The Grapevine.”
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