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Weekly Lighting of the Advent Wreath

Make This Custom Part of Your Home or Small Faith-Community

The custom of the Advent wreath is an excellent way for families or households and small Christian communities to keep the real meaning of the season central in their Christmas preparations. The four candles of the Advent wreath represent the four weeks of Advent.

• Three candles are purple in color, a reminder of the spirit of penance and prayer that mark the season
• One candle is rose for Gaudete Sunday (third Sunday of Advent), which calls us to "Rejoice in the Lord always."
• The round wreath symbolizes the eternity of God and the evergreen branches, a reminder of the eternal life of God in Christ, are often used to decorate the wreath.

Advent Wreath Blessing:

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 your abundant graces. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen

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Revised/reviewed December 8, 2007