The Advent Wreath

The most important things we do we do them symbolically. Symbols help us to move into the spirit of worship—they allow the presence of God to come
through.

There are lots of symbols at this time of year; Christmas trees, cards, holly, ivy, mistletoe, presents, etc. Advent has its own symbol, the Advent wreath. Light is the most powerful symbol of the Advent season.

The Advent wreath takes up the Christmas theme of light.

The wreath is circul ar in shape, a ring. Like all rings it has no beginning or end. The same can be said of God's love for us. It represents the circle of time and is a symbol of perfection eternity and fidelity.

The circular shape symbolises the coming of Christ in the past, in the present and in future glory. Green is a symbol of faithfulness, life, hope and love... the faith hope and love that comes with Christ.

Four candles: for the four weeks of Advent. They represent the light which came into the darkness. We light one each Sunday representing the gradual building up of the kingdom.

As we are lighting our candle we are expressing our hope in this and our commitment to work to bring it about.