Christmas is a season of joyful anticipation for the coming of the Baby Jesus. As the priest in the mass last night said, "For God so loved the world that He gave us his only son."
Advent begins on the Sunday after the Feast of Christ the King. It lasts for four weeks before Christmas. It ends on Christmas Eve.
The Advent wreath is part of the Christmas tradition that symbolizes the passage of Advent. The circular shape of the wreath means that God has no beginning and no end. God is etemal. His love for us is never ending. The green leaves (evergreen) speak of the hope that we have in God, the hope of newness, of renewal, of eternal life. The four candles around the wreath represent the four weeks of preparation before Christmas. The violet colored candles mean repentance for our sins while the pink candle means joy for Christmas is approaching.
The first candle is often called the prophet's candle. It is meant to signify the hope of Jesus' arrival. The second candle is generally called the Bethlehem Candle. It reminds Christians that God appeared to them in a humble manner. The third candle is the shepherds' candle. This candle represents the joy that more than half of Advent is over. The final candle is the angels' candle, which symbolizes their peace and the message of good news that the angels offer.
In other parts of the world, a fifth white candle is added (placed at the center). This is called the Christ Candle. The other candles are lit one by one during the four Sundays of Advent, while the Christ Candle is traditionally lighted on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. The central location of the Christ Candle reminds us that the incarnation is the heart of the season, giving light to the world.
Each church will have their own version of the Advent wreath. I wish I had gone around more to take more pictures. (Maybe next year.)
Christ the King, Project 7
At the chapel at National Bookstore Quezon Avenue
St. Paul the Apostle Parish, Quezon City
National Shrine of the Sacred Heart, Makati City
Sanctuary of St. Paul, Makati City
Our Lady of La Paz, Makati City
Advent begins on the Sunday after the Feast of Christ the King. It lasts for four weeks before Christmas. It ends on Christmas Eve.
The Advent wreath is part of the Christmas tradition that symbolizes the passage of Advent. The circular shape of the wreath means that God has no beginning and no end. God is etemal. His love for us is never ending. The green leaves (evergreen) speak of the hope that we have in God, the hope of newness, of renewal, of eternal life. The four candles around the wreath represent the four weeks of preparation before Christmas. The violet colored candles mean repentance for our sins while the pink candle means joy for Christmas is approaching.
The first candle is often called the prophet's candle. It is meant to signify the hope of Jesus' arrival. The second candle is generally called the Bethlehem Candle. It reminds Christians that God appeared to them in a humble manner. The third candle is the shepherds' candle. This candle represents the joy that more than half of Advent is over. The final candle is the angels' candle, which symbolizes their peace and the message of good news that the angels offer.
In other parts of the world, a fifth white candle is added (placed at the center). This is called the Christ Candle. The other candles are lit one by one during the four Sundays of Advent, while the Christ Candle is traditionally lighted on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. The central location of the Christ Candle reminds us that the incarnation is the heart of the season, giving light to the world.
Each church will have their own version of the Advent wreath. I wish I had gone around more to take more pictures. (Maybe next year.)
Christ the King, Project 7
At the chapel at National Bookstore Quezon Avenue
St. Paul the Apostle Parish, Quezon City
National Shrine of the Sacred Heart, Makati City
Sanctuary of St. Paul, Makati City
Our Lady of La Paz, Makati City
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