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Monday, November 28, 2011

Our Family Made Advent Wreath...

It feels good to be back on my blog for the first time in a week. So much happened over the Thanksgiving holiday but I will leave that to memory (or block some of it from memory) and move forward with the excitement that fills me right now and that is getting ready for Christmas!!

On Saturday, we went to our church and made our first Advent wreath as a family. I don't know why we waited so long to do this. We walked into the social hall and the smell and music of Christmas was in the air. I could feel the change in my mood. I went from turkey, pumpkin and brown leaves overload to fresh pine, holly and sugar cookie joy!

I love the symbolism of the Advent wreath. The circle shape has always been symbolic of eternity and the evergreens represent life and hope. There are three purple candles and one pink candle. The candles are the first light of this joyous season. You light a purple candle each week until you progress to the final week of Advent season where you light the pink candle. The pink candle is a symbol for the rejoicing to be had around the world.

If you would like to make your own Advent wreath you will need:
  • Oasis wreath form (wet floral foam)
  • Candle holders designed for floral foam
  • 3 purple taper candles
  • 1 pink taper candle
  • Assorted evergreens such as pine, holly, boxwood and if you would like...some special touches such as sage, rosemary and/or lavender


Our beautiful smelling greens


The family working out the plan for
our wreath design

Candle holders placed at 12, 3, 6 & 9
Ash & Bean following the circular
pattern of inserting the greens
so they will lay nicely
Almost done! I wish you could smell
this thing!!

Holly is going in near the candle holders
for that "special" touch

The girls putting the candles into
the wreath
Ash & Bean with the finished
Advent wreath
Note - sugar cookies in their hands :-)
I think this will become a new tradition in our home. It was so much fun, so simple and the girls couldn't wait to light the first candle at dinner last night. It also reminds us that Christmas isn't just about packages with pretty wrapping and bows. It reminds us that Christmas is the celebration of the life that has been given to us. A life we should cherish and be thankful for!

Now, if we can only remember to water it every 4-5 days...

Do you have a holiday tradition (no matter what holiday you celebrate) in your family to start the season off on a meaningful note?


Labels: , ,

posted by The Preppy Girl in Pink @ 9:23 AM   5 Comments

5 Comments:

At November 28, 2011 at 10:27 AM , Blogger Robbie K said...

Love the advent wreath! Our family tradition is going to pick out a REAL Christmas tree! We will probably wait until this coming weekend.

 
At November 28, 2011 at 3:04 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

Kristen, I loved reading about your Advent wreath and seeing you put one together as a family. I'm just now learning about Advent, but I think it is beautiful. Thank you for sharring this!

 
At November 28, 2011 at 3:25 PM , Blogger Maren said...

I love the look of your wreath! Seems like a great family activity to get in the Christmas spirit. :) I don't celebrate advent, and barely celebrate Christmas, but it's a really nice tradition anyhow. :)

Glad you're back on the blog!

 
At November 28, 2011 at 5:04 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Your advent wreath is beautiful.The act of making the wreath as a family really brings the true meaning of the season home. This is a truly wonderful time of year and the advent wreath reminds us of how really special it is.

 
At November 28, 2011 at 11:21 PM , Blogger Kristen said...

I loved that project. we are a little too young and "terrorous" (is that a word? I tried to spell check it and it wanted to change it to terrorist... not quite) for such a project. Tonight we set up the nativity. Goal - to try not to smash baby Jesus, Mary, or Joseph into a bazillion bits. Achieved. But as we put each piece out - we "read" the Christmas story. I think we are going to keep reading the story and pointing to the people every night. We've also started praying to baby Jesus instead of God. ... but somehow that seems a little Talladega Nights .... either way. I think we will do the wreath when they can handle it.... like when they are 20 :)
Kristen

 

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