americancatholic.org
Advent is the time of year that prepares us for the coming of Christ from the Blessed Sacred Virgin Mary. This happens through a 4 week process witch starts from December 1st into December 25tg or as we call it Christmas; Christmas extends into the 1st week of the New Year. We place out Advent Wreathes and light one candle each Sunday. There are 3 purple candles and one rose colored candle. The 1st 2 weeks the purple ones are lot but 3rd week the rose one then the last purple one. The readings goes as followed: 1st week- Old Testament Patriarchs of Christs Ancestors and the 1st purple candle is lit as "Advent Candle Of Hope" 2nd Week- Prophecies of Christ's birth in a manger and other prophecies, again another purple candle is lit and called "Bethlehem or The Way Of The Prophet" 3rd Week- Celebrates midpoint of Asvent and speaks about shepherds, thus the rose candle is named " Joy Of The Shepherds" 4th Week- Is known as the annunciation of Christ's birth, so once more another candle is lit and called "Angel's Candle" There is a 5th candle in the middle of the wreath to be lit Christmas Eve and is known as "Christ Candle." |