Advent is a Christian Period which is observed in the home as well as in the Church. It is a time to remember the First Coming of Christ and to anticipate His Second Coming.

This simple ceremony of the Advent Wreath Blessing and Prayer takes place in the home when the family is gathered together for prayer followed by dinner. The wreath helps to live the spirit of Advent.

If you don't have a ready-made Advent wreath, you can either make one using your creativity or simply have the four candles placed on a round plate.

THE SYMBOL OF THE WREATH
The Circle of the Wreath: God Himself, His eternity and His endless mercy, without beginning, nor end.
The Green of the Wreath : Our hope of newness, renewal and eternal life.
Light of the Candles : The Light of God that came into the world through Christ to bring newness, life and hope.
Lighting the CandLes : The progressive departure of darkness from the world as more and more light is shed through the candles.

The Blessing of the Advent Wreath (During the 1st week - prayer)
Hymn: He is my everything (or any other appropriate hymn)
Head of the home: Our help is in the Name of t he Lord.
All: Who has made Heaven and earth.
Head of the home: Let us pray:" 0 God, by whose Word all things are made holy, pour forth Your blessing up on this wreath, and grant that we who use it may prepare our hearts for the coming of christ."
All: Amen.

FIRST WEEK: HOPE
The purple or blue candle symbolises a time of expectation and hope.
Head of the home: The Lord is our hope and our life.
All: May the Lord's peace be with us all.
Head of the home: May His love shine in our hearts.
All: Our hope is in the coming of the Lord.

One purple candle is fixed on to the wreath ( traditionally by the youngest child ). During the rest of the week, this one candle is re-lit at the family prayer.

Reading from the Holly Bible: Revelations 21:1-4

Head of the home: Let us pray: that our faith may be strengthened for the coming of the Lord. (Pause for silent prayer) Father in
Heaven, our hearts desire the warmth of Your love and our minds are searching for the light of Your Word. Increase our longing for Christ our Saviour and give us the strength to grow in our faith so that the day of His coming may find us prepared and filled with joy.
All: Amen.
The family prayer will now carry on as usual.

SECOND WEEK: PEACE
Here the purple or blue candle symbolises the peace that is to come.
Hymn : In His time (or any other appropriate hymn)
Head of the home: The Lord Is our hope and our life.
All: May the Lord's peace be with us all.
Head of the home: May His love shine in our hearts.
All: Our hope is in the coming of the Lord.

The second purple candle is fixed on the wreath ( two wax candles will now be lit by one of the children and placed next to the wreath).

During the rest of the week, these two candles are re-lit at the family prayer.

Reading fm m the Holy Bible: Isaiah 2:1-5

Head of the home: Let us pray: that we m ay experience fully the peace of Christ . ( Pause for silent prayer ) Father in Heaven, the day draws near when the birth of your Son will make radiant the night of the waiting world. May His quiet coming fill us with true inner peace.
All: Amen.

The Family prayer will now carry on as usual.

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THIRD WEEK: JOY
The pink/rose candle symbolises joy for the promise is almost fulfilled.
Hymn: We are gathering together (of any other appropriate hymn)
Head of the home: The Lord is our hope and our life.
All: May the Lord's peace be with us all.
Head of the home: May His love shine in our hearts.
All: Our hope is in the coming of the Lord.

A pink(rose candle is fixed on the wreath while two purple candles and the pink/rose coloured candle are lit by the mother and placed next to the wreath and allowed to burn as before.

Reading from the Holy Bible: Philippians 2: 1-11

Head of the home: Let us pray: that we may grow in love for each other as the Lord comes to us. ( Pause for silent prayer ) Father in Heaven, may we Your family who look forward to the birthday of Christ , experience the joy of Your love and celebrate His birth with a new sense of love for each other.
All: Amen.

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FOURTH WEEK: LOVE
Here the purple or blue candle symbolises the love of God for humankind

Hymn: God's love is so wonderful (or any other appropriate hymn)
Head of the home : the lord is our hope and our life.
All: May the Lord's peace be with us all.
Head of the home: May His love shine in our hearts.
All: Our hope is in the coming of the Lord.

The last purple candle is fixed on the wreath while four candles are lit by the father and placed next to the wreath and allowed to burn as before.

Reading fro m the Holly Bible: Isaiah 52:7-10

Head of the home: Let us pray: that the new born Saviour will bring us His love which lasts forever. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, our minds and hearts are filled with hope. We long to hear the voice which tells us of the coming of the Christ child.

All: Amen.

The family prayer will now carry on as usual.