 | Advent Wreath - An Advent Wreath
provides a visual way to move through the four Sundays of the season.
The wreath's circle has no beginning or end, symbolizing God's love
which never ends. The evergreen symbolizes everlasting life. Blue
candles symbolize hope and anticipation, while purple symbolizes the
color of royalty. Pink is for joy. Traditionally, three purple candles
and one pink have been used together, but recently the use of blue has
been encouraged. The central white candle represents Christ and is lit
on Christmas Eve. |
| Advent Calendar - Advent Calendars are a
way to mark this time of waiting every day. It is especially helpful
to children to note each day as they anticipate the celebration of
Jesus' coming into the world. |
| Creche - The French St. Francis of
Assisi popularized the creche, or Nativity Scene, when he created one
in a cave near his village using live animals and people. He did this
to revitalize the devotion to the Christ Child among the people. Many
homes and churches use this symbol and move the various persons
associated to it at different times, leaving the manger empty until
Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. |
| Angel - The word "angel" comes
from the Greek word meaning "messenger." Angels communicate
to the people good news from God. Angels appeared both to Mary and
Joseph, bringing the news that Mary would give birth to Jesus. Angels
also appeared to the shepherds in the fields to announce Jesus'
birth. |
| Jesse Tree - Jesus was a descendant of
King David, whose father was Jesse. The people of Israel expected the
Messiah to be from David's line, "a sprout from the root of
Jesse." A Jesse tree is usually made from a bare branch decorated
with symbols of those who prepared the way for the coming of Christ.
Starting with Adam and Eve and continuing through Mary, we learn about
biblical people and their symbols to hang on the tree. |
| Christmas Balls - Many Christmas
ornaments are round, once again reminding us that God's love has no
beginning or end. God loved the world so much that He gave us the gift
of Jesus. The balls might also represent the world into which Jesus
came as Emmanuel, "God with us." |
| Star - The star helped the Magi find the
Christ Child and so is also an Epiphany symbol. Jesus is also called
the bright morning star in the book of Revelation. |
The word Advent means "coming." As
Christians we know and celebrate this season of the church year as a time
to prepare, reflect, and acknowledge our gift of salvation through God's
son Jesus. In addition, during the Advent season Christians anticipate the
promised second coming of Christ. Some of the symbols that we use in
church and home help reinforce and focus our minds on these themes. 
