Did you know what we are exactly celebrating on advent time?
The history of Advent
Advent means: adventus Domini (latin)- the arrival of Christ.
Advent is a 4 weeks period of time before Christmas is begin. It is celebrated on Sundays with a special mass in Christian churches. This is about preparation for Christmas. Fasting and repentance was/is important in this period.
Keeping of an advent wreath in homes and Churches became popular from the 19th century.
There should be 4 candles, representing the 4 Sundays of the advent period before Christmas.
Every Sunday should be one more candle lighted. Symbolising that, the light is growing, Christ is coming.
Every candle -like every week of preparation has its message.
The first candle of the first week means - faith.
The second is about - hope.
The message of the third is - happiness.
The last one is remind us about the importance of - love.
My advent decoration
I was also preparing some advent decoration to my home. Here I made some pictures to inspire You to make Yours, if You want.
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| This are the materials, I used |
Originally there should be 3 purple candles and 1 rose colour according the tradition. Purple colour is representing the penitence and discipline according the Christian liturgy. Rose colour has a meaning of unconditional love.
By the way, according the eastern, mystical traditions, the 4th chakra is the centre of the heart, and also related to rose colour, (and green, and gold as well.)
In my version of advent "wreath" I made something different. You see, I did not used the classical wreath, but I choose to put the four candles into a rustic wooden tray. I used colourful ribbon around the candles. I decorated with some painted wooden stars (I bought them in a local craft shop). I collected in the nature some pine cones and I just put them between the candles.
I was trying to make something modern, organic looking which is very trendy this days. I used natural elements, simple design.
How do you like it? Please feel free to comment it, or upload a picture of your version, thanks.
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Have fun, and when You light the candles of your advent wreath, You may think about the meaning of it as well :)
If you want to know more about Advent here on wikipedia You can find more details.
If you want to read it in Hungarian, you can find it here
If you want to read it in Hungarian, you can find it here
Thanks stopping by : Andi
