Many parents think the Christmas season has become too commercial. All of us hope each child will be happy at Christmas, but we parents should help children understand the real meaning of Christmas. One fun way to do this is to make and use an Advent wreath. An Advent wreath is made from 4 candles, placed in a ring of wire covered by greenery. The light of the candles represents the light of Christ, coming into the world at Christmas.
The word “Advent” means “coming.” The Advent wreath reminds us of Christ coming as a baby to Bethlehem, Christ’s presence daily in our hearts, and Christ’s coming at the end of time. The advent season begins 4 Sundays before Dec. 25.
Make Advent Wreath
Make or buy a wire ring about the size of a dinner plate. Weave greenery into the ring. Find 3 purple, 1 rose, and 1 white candle. Place the colored candles into the frame and put the white one in the middle. Use candleholders so that the greenery cannot catch fire.
Use Advent Wreath
- On the 1st Sunday of Advent: light one purple candle. This is called the “Hope Candle.” Read Isaiah 61:1-2 and talk to your family about the hope Jesus brings to the world.
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, [Jesus] for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. (Isaiah 61:1-2 NLT)
- On the 2nd Sunday of Advent: light the first candle and another purple one. This 2nd candle is called the “Preparation Candle.” Read Isaiah 11:2-5 and talk to your family about what Jesus’ character is like.
And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. He will delight in obeying the Lord. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay. He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked. He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment. (Isaiah 11:2-5 NLT)
- On the 3rd Sunday of Advent, light the first two purple candles and the rose pink candle. This is the “Joy Candle.” Read Zephaniah 3:17. Pray with your family that Christ will be at home in their hearts, and that His presence will be in your home. Explain that some day, Christ will return and reign over the whole world.
For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. (Zephaniah 3:17, NLT)
- On the 4th Sunday of Advent, light all of the candles except for the white one. The last purple candle is called the “Love Candle.” Let each family member describe what Jesus means to them personally. Read the scripture Luke 2:8-13.
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2: 8 -12 NLT)
Advent comes to an end on Christmas Eve.
On Christmas Day, light the white candle. This candle is called the “Christ Candle.” Christ is the sinless, spotless, pure Savior. He is the light that comes into a dark and dying world. Those who receive Jesus Christ as Savior are washed of their sins and made whiter than snow. Read the Scripture John 3:16. Invite all your family members to pray and ask Jesus to forgive them and be their Savior.
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16, NLT)
Advent may end when Christmas begins, but we should live every day in preparation for the Second Coming of Christ.
