The Advent Wreath

Beginning with the first Sunday in Advent, Victorian families would suspend an evergreen wreath with a single red candle over the dining room table. Every day a white or gold paper star with a bible verse would be added and the candle rekindled. Each successive Sunday in Advent a new candle would be added, lit, and a small celebration of reading verses, singing carols, and the savoring of holiday treats would occur.

Your family will enjoy the ceremony of an Advent wreath, too. To make an Advent wreath, Mrs. Sharp uses a wire hoop with four candleholders or a circular Styrofoam base with four candle holes (available at most craft or florist shops). Place a plain evergreen wreath on top of the base; if using a wire hoop, secure the wreath with thin wire or pin it to the Styrofoam with hairpins. Next insert four red candles.

While the suspended Advent wreath is charming, if there are young children in the house, you might prefer to leave yours lying flat on the table. Each day during Advent have the children take turns adding one large gold-foiled paper star to the top of the wreath.

A tradition that European children especially enjoy is creating a tiny Advent garden within the wreath. Legend has it that beginning with the first Sunday of Advent, the natural world-the kingdoms of minerals, plants, and animals-rejoices at the coming of the Christ Child and offers a gift for the Creator's son. Let your children be of assistance: On the first Sunday have the children form a circle of smooth stones and crystals. The second week, add gifts from the plant world: pinecones, holly sprigs, even small red roses. On the third Sunday, the animal world joins the celebration with small toy figures of sheep, donkeys, and other creatures. On the final Sunday before Christmas, the figures of Mary and Joseph are added to the center of the wreath to stay until Christmas Eve.

Finally, at Mrs. Sharp's house, once our Advent wreath is completed on the first Sunday of Advent, the family gathers for a festive tea, featuring a spiced Christmas-wreath cake (using a tube or Bundt-shaped pan and tint the frosting green). We spend the evening cozy by the fire, singing carols and basking in that happy glow of contentment that only the approach of Christmas brings.

from 'Mrs. Sharp's Traditions' pg. 229