I have vivid memories of Christmastime in my childhood church, First Congregational Church of Berkeley, California. We attended the “midnight” service, which ranged in start time from 10 to 11 p.m. We would sit in the near darkness and wait for the church’s distinguished tenor to do a solo of “O Holy Night,” with a voice so clear that it brought tears to our eyes. The service would close with the white Christmas candles being passed out and the flame passed down the pew while “Silent Night” was sung. Our family always tried to keep our candles lit back to our car without them blowing out. I could count on these rituals every year.
One December was especially memorable. Every family was able to take home the components for an Advent log. There was a piece of pine with five holes drilled into it, five white candles, floral putty, and evergreen branches. We placed the log on a platter, adhered the candles to the holes with putty, and decorated it with evergreens, berries, and pinecones from the garden. Every Sunday evening at home we were able to recreate the Advent candle lighting we’d seen earlier in the service.
This year, we won’t be able to witness the lighting of the Advent wreath in person in Grace’s sanctuary, but there are many ways we can bring some of this magic and tradition into our own homes.
Some options for an Advent wreath are to take trimmings from your Christmas tree or your yard and form a circular shape on a fire-safe platter. You can use five candles in votives or candle holders. Traditionally the candles would include three purple candles, one pink, and one white, but all white are fine. The candles will represent Hope, Peace, Joy, Love, and Christ’s Birth.
Many of us have logs or timber at home and this can be used, with the help of a drill, to make an Advent log. A Yule log is a traditional wintertime pagan ritual, where a log was burned on the Winter Solstice, December 21, to celebrate and mark the changing of darkness into light. An Advent log marks the weeks that approach the birth of our Savior, when his life brought light to our world. You can use a log with five candles, and I recommend lots of good-smelling evergreen branches to bring the Christmas spirit.
If you are feeling less than crafty, an option that would last throughout the year is a Waldorf ring. This is a wooden ring with predrilled holes that can be used to celebrate Christ’s birthday and events throughout the year. I have one with different figures to represent my husband’s and my lives. The same website has candles and icons, such as angels, that will add to your Advent wreath. Here are links to one source:
Advent calendars are a wonderful way to mark the twenty-four days until Christmas. These calendars will provide a quotation from scripture as well as a piece of chocolate: https://www.vermontchristmasco.com/category/religious-chocolate-advent.
Additional resources for your crafting: