In the 1500s in Germany, Christians made a wreaths of evergreens, advent wreaths, symbolizing eternity. People used candles on them to help focus attention on the deep meaning of Christmas.
Advent Season
These Advent wreaths are now traditional in Christmas celebrations everywhere. Since Advent season begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve, you may want a calendar to show the dates this year and the next couple years: https://www.calendardate.com/advent_2024.htm
Lighting the First Advent Wreath Candle
Advent wreaths traditionally use three purple candles, one pink candle, and one white candle. The first Sunday calls for a purple candle, the Prophesy Candle. “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).
And the Second and Third
The second purple candle illumines the next Sunday. Often it is called the Bethlehem candle. “And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12). The third Sunday is the time for the pink candle, the Shepherds Candle. “There were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. The angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2: 8-11).
And the Fourth
On the fourth Sunday the last purple candle, the Angels Candle, shines forth. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:13-14).
Last, the Most Important Candle in the Advent Wreath
Then, on Christmas Eve, the white candle, the Christ Candle, glows in the center of the wreath. It represents the Light of the World coming to Earth. “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2: 7).
Wreathed in Meaning
Thus, the work of creating an advent wreath carries with it a responsibility even beyond craftsmanship. Those who use the wreaths will want to know the maker had respect for it.
Making Wooden an Advent Wreath
I decided to make my mother (she was crazy about Christmas traditions!) a wooden advent wreath, and she happily used it year to year.
Choosing the Wood
Never having worked with Brazilian mahogany before, I was not sure how it would look. But it seemed like it would be a good pick. So I bought some and sawed it into blanks.
Next, I made the blanks (you may remember about starting with blanks from making ornaments (https://thelindenwoodstudio.com/to-make-an-ornament/). The bandsaw and I made enough blanks to make several wreaths.
Off to the Lathe
After that, it was time to see how the wood would turn.
Turned out (pun, I know) very nice. Just needed some holes for the candles. So, over to the drill press for that work.
Making the Advent Wreath Festive
Finally, it just needed a good polishing up with some walnut stain and walnut oil.
Then, at last, it needed only the colorful candles and the greenery. And now it is an Advent wreath ready to light the Advent Season for many years to come.
