Advent

[AdJesumPerMariam]

I would like to get an Advent Wreath this year. I would like to know what candles need to be lit, in what order, and any verses or prayers to be said.
Thanx all!

 

[AMDG]

You will need 3 purple candles and 1 rose candle. The candles are lit one by one throughout the 4 Sundays of Advent--purple, purple, rose, purple, on Christmas all 4 candles are replaced with white candles and then lit. Traditionally the candles are lit during the evening meal and the "Stir up" prayers are used. "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" can be sung.

You can get little pamphlets with all the prayers and customs at Catholic book stores, however this is my favorite from when I taught CCD years ago (and I've never seen it in one of the pamphlets). The paper is old and "ratty" by now:

The first candle (purple--the candle of the Prophets--reminds of the light of hope as they looked forward to the coming Messiah) is lit by the youngest child. The reading is Isaiah 9:1 and 60:1-2. Sing "O Come, O Come Emmanuel". Pray "Dear God, our world is in darkness. We need the light of peace and love to shine in our world. Help us to prepare our lives and homes to receive the One who said, "I am the light of the world." We pray in the name of Christ the Lord. Amen." After dinner the candle is blown out.

The second candle (purple--the candle of Bethlehem--reminds us of the darknight when Joseph and Mary found light and warmth in the stable) is lit by the oldest child. The oldest child also lights the first candle--so two candles now burn. The reading is Luke 2:1-7. Sing "O Little Town of Bethlehem". Pray "Dear God, help us to have room in our hearts and our home for other persons who need us. We thank you for friends and strangers who have received us when we were lonely, afraid, or tired. May we be ready to receive the love God offers us in Jesus. We pray in the name of Christ our Lord. Amen." After dinner the candles are blown out.

The third candle (rose--the Candle of the Shepherds--reminds us of the love and joy which surrounded the shepherds at the announcement of the birth of Jesus) is lit by the mother. The mother also lights the first and second candle--so three candles are burning. The reading is Luke 2:8-20. Sing "The First Noel". Pray "Dear God, we thank you for your gift of Jesus to the whold world. As the shepherds found Jesus in a manger, may we find Jesus in the love and joy that we share together. Help us, O God, to love one another. Help us to do our share to bring happiness, goodness and peace to the world. Amen." After dinner the candles are blown out.

The fourth candle (purple--the Candle of the Angels--reminds us of the star which guided the magi to the stable where Jesus lay) is lit by the father. The father also lights the first, second and third candles--so all four candles are burning. The reading is Matthew 2:1-12. Sing "We Three Kings of Orient Are". Pray "Dear God, we thank you for sharing Jesus with all the world. Please help us to care about and befriend those who might be different from ourselves. Help us, too, to remember that the gifts we share with each other at Christmas are reminders of the gift that Jesus is to us. Amen." After dinner the candles are blown out.

On Christmas, the candles are replaced with white ones which are lit for an all-day celebration for the "Light of the World". Fresh greens may be replaced in the wreath as well (don't want things to catch fire.) The waiting period of Advent is over!

 

[LADY DI]

Thanks AMDG!!!!!

I'm going to be celebrating Advent this year--and there were many questions I had ( like the candle colors ), but you explained it all---thanks.
Oh, one question: When does Advent start this year?

 

[Cat59]

This link gives ideas on how to make wreaths. Last year I remember ukok posted a lovely picture of her advent wreath.
http://www.domestic-church.com/CONTENT.DCC/19971201/FRIDGE/MKADVWR.HTM
And the first Sunday of Advent is 28th November
Cat

 

[ukok]

This link gives ideas on how to make wreaths. Last year I remember ukok posted a lovely picture of her advent wreath.
http://www.domestic-church.com/CONTENT.DCC/19971201/FRIDGE/MKADVWR.HTM
And the first Sunday of Advent is 28th November
Cat

I was just thinking about that! I was thinking about how you and Credo (amongst others), were giving me some excellent advice. I love Advent!



God bless.

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

I love advent, too.

Can we make this the Advent idea thread??

One of the things we do is to hide Mary and Joseph in the house for the kids to find each day as they "travel" closer to Bethlehem (the stable that is set up somewhere in the house). Each week MAry and Joseph are hidden in another room around the house. The kids really love doing that!

 

[Cat59]

That reminds me- I found our "Advent calender"- it has figures you add to everyday and readings to go with it. We hadn't been able to find it since we moved here-now I'd better get it out before I forget where it is again..

 

[Paul S]

Thanks AMDG!!!!!

I'm going to be celebrating Advent this year--and there were many questions I had ( like the candle colors ), but you explained it all---thanks.
Oh, one question: When does Advent start this year?

The First Sunday of Advent is always between November 27 and December 2.

Do you know where the hymn "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" comes from?

The seven verses are the seven O Antiphons, which are sung at Vespers from December 17 to December 23:

O Sapientia, * quæ ex ore Altissimi prodiisti, attingens a fine usque ad finem, fortiter suaviterque disponens omnia : veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiæ.

O Adonai, * et Dux domus Israel, qui Moysi in igne flammæ rubi apparuisti, et ei in Sina legem dedisti : veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento.

O Radix Jesse, * qui stas in signum populorum, super quem continebunt reges os suum, quem Gentes deprecabuntur : veni ad liberandum nos, jam noli tardare.

O Clavis David, * et sceptrum domus Israel ; qui aperis, et nemo claudit ; claudis, et nemo aperit : veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris, sedentem in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

O Oriens, * splendor lucis æternæ, et sol justitiæ : veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

O Rex Gentium, * et desideratus earum, lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum : veni, et salva hominem, quem de limo formasti.

O Emmanuel, * Rex et legifer noster, exspectatio Gentium, et Salvator earum : veni ad salvandum nos, Domine, Deus noster.

---------------

O Wisdom, * which camest out of the mouth of the Most High, and reachest from one end to another, mightily and sweetly ordering all things: Come and teach us the way of prudence.

O Adonai, * and Leader of the house of Israel, who appearedst in the Bush to Moses in a flame of fire, and gavest him the Law of Sinai: Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.

O Root of Jesse, * which standest for an ensign of the people, at whom kings shall shut their mouths, to whom the Gentiles shall seek: Come and deliver us, and tarry not.

O Key of David, * and Sceptre of the house of Israel; that openest and no man shutteth, and shuttest and no man openeth: Come and bring the prisoners out of the prison-house, them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death.

O Dayspring, * Brightness of Light Everlasting, and Sun of Righteousness: Come and enlighten them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death.

O King of the Nations, * and their Desire; the Cornerstone who makest both one: Come and save mankind, whom thou formedst of clay.

O Emmanuel, * our King and Lawgiver, the Desire of all nations and their Salvation: Come and save us, O Lord our God.

-----------------

If you take the first letter of each title of Our Lord backwards, it spells ERO CRAS, which is Latin for "I will be tomorrow"

Here's the collects for each Sunday of Advent, which are also great prayers for use with the Advent wreath:

First Sunday
Excita, quæsumus, Domine, potentiam tuam, et veni : ut ab imminentibus peccatorum nostrorum periculis, te mereamur protegente eripi, te liberante salvari : Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Stir up thy power, O Lord, we beseech thee, and come: that by Thy protection we may deserve to be rescued from the threatening dangers of our sins and saved by Thy deliverance. Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.

Second Sunday
Excita, Domine, corda nostra ad præparandas Unigeniti tui vias : ut per ejus adventum purificatis tibi mentibus servire mereamur : Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Stir up, O Lord, our hearts to make ready the way for thine Only-Begotten, that through his coming we may be worthy to serve thee with purified minds. Who with thee liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.

Third Sunday
Aurem tuam, quæsumus, Domine, precibus nostris accommoda: et mentis nostræ tenebras gratia tuæ visitationis illustra : Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Incline thine ear, we beseech thee, O Lord, to our prayers: and make bright the darkness of our minds by the grace of thy visitation. Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.

Fourth Sunday
Excita, quæsumus, Domine, potentiam tuam, et veni : et magna nobis virtute succurre; ut per auxilium gratiæ tuæ, quod nostra peccata præpediunt, indulgentia tuæ propitiationis acceleret : Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy power, and come; make haste to our aid with thy great might ; that, by the help of thy grace, that which is hindered by our sins may be hastened by thy merciful forgiveness. Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.

 

[AMDG]

Ah, the "stir up" prayers. Thank you Paul S!

Great Shannon! That "hiding" of Mary and Joseph in the house for the children to find as Christmas approaches is a really neat idea.

When I was teaching CCD, starting from Advent until right before Christmas itself, one of my fellow teachers would include an empty manger and some hay. She would encourage her children to do good deeds and for every good deed, she'd have the children add some hay to the manger. With the good deeds of the children, the manger would be full of hay for the doll or statue representing the baby Jesus to rest in.

 

[LADY DI]

Thanks Paul S for the "stir up" prayers--I'll be printing them up to use.

I'm so excited for the Advent season!!!

I too like the idea of hiding Mary and Joseph in different rooms of the house--I know my kids would have fun with that.

I've heard of many people having the custom of filling the manger with hay with each good deed done.

I can't wait to hear others ideas and customs!!!

God Bless
Di

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

Yes-- we do the hay!! Everytime some one does a good deed or makes a scarifice they can get a little piece of yarn from a bowl where it is kept and place it in the stable.

We also leave our ADvent wreath candles burning and say our rosary gathered around the kitchen table during ADvent. The kids go out and collect the greenery to place around the candles and it is a big deal for them to get picked to be the one who gets to use the snuffer to put out the candle.

We also sit down the first Sunday in ADvent and make aprayer calendar- and pray for someone or some group of people everyday. WE will offer our Mass for them and pray our rosary for them and offer our sacrifices for them that day. It is really cool to see who the kids pick!

I dunno- we do lots and lots of ADvent things!

What else does everyone do?? CAt that ADvent calendar sounds awesome!!!

 

[Brother Charlie]

We also leave our ADvent wreath candles burning and say our rosary gathered around the kitchen table during ADvent.

Sorry for me intruding, but that just sounds so peaceful.

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

Sorry for me intruding, but that just sounds so peaceful.

LOL!!! YOu have never experienced saying the roasary with little children!!! Peaceful is NOT a word that would first jump to my mind!!

 

[Brother Charlie]

Ive never heard people praying the rosary together, all the times I pray the rosary I do it in private..that sounds awesome

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

Ive never heard people praying the rosary together, all the times I pray the rosary I do it in private..that sounds awesome

I usually try to find a time to say the rosary by myself, too- as it is not all that conducive to meditation with small children- but they do really seem to respond to thinking about the lives of Jesus and Mary.

Most of the families at our school say a family rosary. The family that most influenced my brother's call to the priesthhod, was a family with whom he was very good friends in high school (and still) who said the rosary together everynight after dinner....

 

[Brother Charlie]

Is your brother a priest? That is a great thing. I feel sort of called to be a priest, but I dont think anyone knows it except me and the people on this board, if you saw me youd think I was just another lukewarm christian...its hard to talk to people about this sort of thing

 

[Brother Charlie]

what kind of school is this? Is this a private catholic school where you send your kids? That sounds like a perfect community...now if I can think of a way to get my family to say a family rosary together.

 

[Carrye]

I love the O Antiphons! And then there's the Martyrology.

: In the year five-thousand one-hundred and ninety-nine from the creation
of the world, when in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth;

: In the year two-thousand nine-hundred and fifty-seven from the flood;

: In the year two-thousand and fifty-one from the birth of Abraham;

: In the year one-thousand five-hundred and ten from the going forth of
the people of Israel out of Egypt under Moses;

: In the year one-thousand and thirty-two from the anointing of David as
king;

: In the sixty-fifth week according to the prophecy of Daniel;

: In the one-hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad;

: In the year seven-hundred and fifty-two from the foundation of the city
of Rome;

: In the forty-second year of the reign of the Emperor Octavian Augustus;

: In the sixth age of the world, while the whole earth was at peace— JESUS
CHRIST eternal God and the Son of the eternal Father, willing to
consecrate the world by His gracious coming, having been conceived of the
Holy Ghost, and the nine months of His conception being now accomplished,
(all kneel) was born in Bethlehem of Judah of the Virgin Mary, made man.
The birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to the flesh.

 

[LADY DI]

Can anyone here tell me why the colors purple and rose are used for the Advent wreath? Their not your usual Christmas colors.

 

[Cat59]

I found this on a parish newsletter, explaining the significance of the colours

"In the very early days of the church, the only church season was Lent, the seven weeks prior to Easter. It was a season of fasting and prayer as the church remembered the coming time of the crucifixion of Jesus, and the colour used at this time was a solemn purple. But there is one ray of hope and of coming joy at this time in that the death of Jesus prefigured the resurrection, so on the third Sunday of Lent there was a break in the fasting. In ancient times, the Pope would honour a citizen by presenting him with a pink rose and as time passed priests wore pink vestments on this day.

Advent is like a mini-Lent, a time for reflection and repentance - hence the purple. But it also looks forward to a time of great joy - hence the one pink candle.

P.S. The church has a traditional name for each candle in the Advent Wreath: the first is Hope, the second Peace, the third Joy and the fourth Love. Pink is the candle of joy!"
Cat