Today Advent begins! The first Advent Sunday is also the beginning of the new liturgical Church year. To mark the beginning of Advent, we set up an Advent wreath, our Christmas tree and the outdoor fairy lights.
Advent Wreath
Today we lightened the first candle of the advent wreath. Each following Sunday we will lighten one more candle.
Within Catholic tradition there are five candles with these liturgical colours: three are purple, symbolizing the awaiting of Jesus Christ, both his birth and his second coming – a time of repentance and fast, one is pink for Gaudete Sunday, which reminds us of the joy during repentance, and finally a white candle symbolizing the purity and light of Christ.
Each week we lighten one more candle. The white one will be lit on Christmas, the Birth of Christ.
Our salvation is near at hand. (Rom 13:11-14)
