Advent Wreathes

submitted by Sue

At home in the US, we light the candles on the Advent wreath. It's a tradition that I grew up with, and it's fun for the kids to participate. We have a little poem that we say as we light the candles - everyone has a line. At home we have a 4-candle candle holder that we use, not bothering with an actual wreath. But here there is no way to avoid the wreath! The farmer's market by our apartment had stands and stands of them, decorated in many colors, fancy and simple. I wish I had taken pictures of them all! We got ours the day before Advent started just as the farmer's market was starting close down. The vender saw us coming and reduced his prices so we'd buy candles for the kids as well. Here's our set, after Christmas.

Advent wreaths really were everywhere - on sale at stores and at venders at the tram station, and not just for sale. Grace and Henry both had them in their rooms at school and they were lit everyday by their teachers. In restaurants and doctors' offices there would be an Advent wreath sitting on the bar, counter or hostess table - and always had just the right number of candles that had been lit. (I didn't see candles burning in a public place, just that the candles had been lit.)

After 4 weeks, our greens were looking a little ragged so Russ and Grace picked up a single candle for Christmas day. This was joined by candles that the kids made at their schools. Henry's is the hand-dipped wax candle and Grace's is the flower pot snowman.

Our lighted candle is glowing,
Making the darkness bright,
Shining on our family,
Gathered here tonight.

Fun Fact: Grace recited this poem at her class holiday program. She did awesome!