Symbols
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Colour Purple:
The colour purple signifies penance, temperance and spirituality, all notions significant to the lead up of the birth of Christ, as Christians prepare and discipline their hearts for the full sense of joy of Christmas (USCCB, 2015). This colour decorates the worship space during the liturgical season (Catholic Education Archdiocese of Brisbane, 2011).
The colour purple signifies penance, temperance and spirituality, all notions significant to the lead up of the birth of Christ, as Christians prepare and discipline their hearts for the full sense of joy of Christmas (USCCB, 2015). This colour decorates the worship space during the liturgical season (Catholic Education Archdiocese of Brisbane, 2011).
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Advent Wreath:
The Advent wreath consists of four candles, three purple and one pink/rose. The candles are traditionally lit on the four Sundays through Advent. The candles represent hope, peace, joy and love, all feelings associated with the excitement of the lead up to Christ’s birth. The rose coloured candle, also known as the Shepheard candle, symbolises joy and represents the half way point in Advent, as excitement and anticipation grow for the birth of Jesus (Harrison, 2010).
The Advent wreath consists of four candles, three purple and one pink/rose. The candles are traditionally lit on the four Sundays through Advent. The candles represent hope, peace, joy and love, all feelings associated with the excitement of the lead up to Christ’s birth. The rose coloured candle, also known as the Shepheard candle, symbolises joy and represents the half way point in Advent, as excitement and anticipation grow for the birth of Jesus (Harrison, 2010).
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Blessing the Advent Wreath:
On the first Sunday of Advent the wreath is blessed. This is done in both homes and the Church and represents the start of the season (Brisbane Catholic Education, 2015).
On the first Sunday of Advent the wreath is blessed. This is done in both homes and the Church and represents the start of the season (Brisbane Catholic Education, 2015).
A blessing suggested by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (2015) for blessing the Advent Wreath:
All make the sign of the cross as the leader says:
Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Response (R/.) Who made heaven and earth.
Then the Scripture, Isaiah 9: (lines 1-2 and 5-6) or Isaiah 63 (lines 16-17 & 19) or Isaiah 64 (lines 2-7) is read:
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
R/. Thanks be to God.
With hands joined, the leader says:
Lord our God,
we praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ:
he is Emmanuel, the hope of the peoples,
he is the wisdom that teaches and guides us,
he is the Saviour of every nation.
Lord God,
let your blessing come upon us
as we light the candles of this wreath.
May the wreath and its light
be a sign of Christ’s promise to bring us salvation.
May he come quickly and not delay.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen.
The blessing may conclude with a verse from
“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”:
O come, desire of nations, bind
in one the hearts of humankind;
bid ev’ry sad division cease
and be thyself our Prince of peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
—From "Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers"
All make the sign of the cross as the leader says:
Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Response (R/.) Who made heaven and earth.
Then the Scripture, Isaiah 9: (lines 1-2 and 5-6) or Isaiah 63 (lines 16-17 & 19) or Isaiah 64 (lines 2-7) is read:
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
R/. Thanks be to God.
With hands joined, the leader says:
Lord our God,
we praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ:
he is Emmanuel, the hope of the peoples,
he is the wisdom that teaches and guides us,
he is the Saviour of every nation.
Lord God,
let your blessing come upon us
as we light the candles of this wreath.
May the wreath and its light
be a sign of Christ’s promise to bring us salvation.
May he come quickly and not delay.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen.
The blessing may conclude with a verse from
“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”:
O come, desire of nations, bind
in one the hearts of humankind;
bid ev’ry sad division cease
and be thyself our Prince of peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
—From "Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers"
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The Jesse Tree:
The Jesse Tree symbolises the Old Testament and the significant events and people up until the birth of Christ. It is decorated in ornaments that reflect these events and people (Loyola Press, 2013).
The Jesse Tree symbolises the Old Testament and the significant events and people up until the birth of Christ. It is decorated in ornaments that reflect these events and people (Loyola Press, 2013).