The symbolism of the Advent wreath is layered with meaning.
The wreath is made with evergreens, signifying continuous life.
The evergreens have a traditional meaning: The laurel signifies victory over persecution and suffering; pine, holly, and yew, immortality; and cedar, strength and healing. Holly also has a special Christian symbolism: The prickly leaves serve as reminders of the crown of thorns.
The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life found in Christ.
Some people add nuance to their Advent wreath. Any pine cones, nuts, or seedpods used to decorate the wreath also symbolize life and resurrection.
All together, the wreath of evergreens depicts the immortality of our soul and the new, everlasting life promised to us through Christ, the eternal Word of the Father, who entered our world becoming true man and who was victorious over sin and death through His own passion, death, and resurrection.
It's Advent. We await the coming of Christ.
Join in the preparations for a Simple Christmas.
We have work to do while we wait on the Lord's arrival. Let's get ready together.
Luke 12:42-47 - And the Lord replied, “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. But what if the servant thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful. And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished."
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I love your blog messages, and the pictures are mesmerizing. Seriously, I feel like I'm sitting at your table by you staring out your window at Christmas wonderland. I do love Florida so much, but even after living here for 23 years, at Christmas time, deciding where to drape the lights on the palm trees is still just weird.
Posted by: becky Hunter | December 04, 2008 at 07:37 AM
Wow, this is amazing! I absolutely LOVE living in El Paso, Texas but this is something you'd never see here.
Honestly I'm jealous now. I'd love to be in Michiana right now.
And that is one well-fed squirrel. =)
Posted by: Ariel | December 06, 2008 at 02:40 AM