First Sunday of Advent

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. Traditionally Christmas is about Jesus’ birthday. Advent is the time of year we celebrate the weeks that lead up to his birth. Below is the tradition of the advent wreath.

The wreath is made of four candles in a circle of evergreens. Three candles are violet and the fourth is rose. Each Sunday at home, the candles are lighted, perhaps before the evening meal-- one candle the first week, and then another each succeeding week until December 25th. A short prayer may accompany the lighting.