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ShawnaB
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| Posted: Nov 19 2006 at 6:32pm | IP Logged
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??
How you do incorporate an Advent wreath into the season of Advent? Do you light your candles in the evening? Do you sing at the lighting? What does your wreath look like? Do you make it? Do you hang it?
Any Blog photos or articles to share?
Thanks!
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Shawna, wife of Jacob, mom to Abraham 8 Amelia 5 and Jillian & Jonathan age 3 years http://www.psalm121family.com
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MaryMary
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| Posted: Nov 19 2006 at 11:13pm | IP Logged
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Hi Shawna,
I use a wrought iron wreath ring about 12 inches in diameter for the base of our Advent wreath. It has four flat, round, wrought iron disks attached for pillar candles to be placed on top. We use this as a base for our Advent wreath.
Every year on the day before the first Sunday in Advent, my husband gathers the children and, with saw in hand, they remove branches from all the evergreen trees on our property (we don't live on a large piece of land!). They come in with sprigs of pine, cedar and spruce, and are greeted with a warm cup-o-something that I have prepared.
We then take to the task of attaching these branches, in small bundles, to our wrought iron base. I end up doing most of that job on my own (as my children are still quite little) but each year they are contributing more and more. When I finish attaching the boughs to the ring, I place the entire wreath on a large, round, glass serving tray (makes the wreath easy to move off the table), and then add fresh advent pillar candles. I must admit, it looks breathtaking (even though sometimes I grumble under my breath for getting picked and scraped with pine needles and my hands full of sap  !)On the eve of the first Sunday in Advent, dh prays a prayer of blessing over our wreath.
Some years our Advent wreath has occupied the center of the kitchen table and was lit before dinner. One year it was on the coffee table and was lit before bedtime(Yup, you guessed it, the first year we were married and eldest dd in utero!  ) Last year we moved it to the dining room table and lit it during our morning devotions (dh works many evenings and we wanted to be together as a family when it was lit). We usually begin with an Advent hymn and pray for a special intention for each day of Advent. We create a paper chain with the name of one person/family for whom we would like to pray and unfurl one every day, we then place the opened strip of paper in the empty manger that awaits the Infant Jesus. Dh usually reads the Gospel for the day and we discuss/explain it a bit. My children are almost the exact same ages as yours, Shawna, so we keep it short and pretty simple  . The kids take turns snuffing out the candles (SO EXCITING in their eyes!)and we sing another closing hymn.
I hope I explained myself adequately. Advent is, far and away, our most beloved time of year.
Hope some of this was helpful...
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Mary
Wife 2 1
Mum 2 four blessings on earth and two in heaven!
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marihalojen
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| Posted: Nov 20 2006 at 9:58am | IP Logged
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Hi Shawna!
This year I think we are going to adapt Dawn's Advent Wreath. We love to eat in the cockpit during Advent with the candles glowing but I find that the slightest breeze will extinguish the flames on tapers.
It was one of those A-ha! moments...
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SSR = Sailing, Snorkling, Reading
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ShawnaB
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Mary, what a beautiful idea ritual. I love the idea of the paper chain. We will definitely include that one. Thank you!
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Shawna, wife of Jacob, mom to Abraham 8 Amelia 5 and Jillian & Jonathan age 3 years http://www.psalm121family.com
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Cheryl
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Shawna,
I will post pictures of my wreath on my blog this weekend when I take it out. It's a small brass ring with holders for four tapers. I put the ring on a clear plate covered with a purple cloth. Then I add evergreens. I used to clip small branches from our tree, but now we have an artificial one. I have also used pieces from holly bushes or pine trees.
We usually light the candles on Sundays during dinner. Last year we did Moira's advent presentations which include the lighting of the Advent wreath. I would like to add some singing this year.
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Cheryl
Wife to Bob ('97)
Mom to Matthew 13, Joseph 11, Sarah 10, Rachel 6, Hannah almost 4 and Mary 1
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Christine
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A few of us shared about our Advent wreaths here, Advent Wreaths.
I will post a picture of our Advent Wreath on my blog, when I am able. It is not always possible with blogger. It is green with Irish knotwork. It is not the traditional evergreen wreath, but it has a lot of meaning for us.
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Christine
Mommy to 4 girls, 5 boys, & 2 in God's care
Memories of a Catholic Wife and Mother
Pretty Lilla Rose
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Ruth
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Hi Shawna,
Here is my Advent Wreath with the prayers to go along. I also posted some information about the wreath on my blog.
Advent Wreath
God bless. Ruth
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Ruth
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: Will you tell me about your Advent Wreath
