Advent Wreath

1. The wreath, a circle, expresses Gods unending eternity. 2. Evergreen symbolizes Gods unchangeableness and our immortality. 3. Four candles, one for each week of Advent, represent the many hundreds of years during which mankind awaited the Redeemer. 4. Violet candles and ribbons remind us of longing expectation. 5. The rose candle symbolizes joy and hope in awaiting Jesus birthday. 6. White candles represent the joy of Christmas and the sinless Jesus. 7. Red ribbon stands for Jesus blood shed on the cross.

Advent Vespers
Blessing
For use on Saturday night before the first Sunday of Advent. Leader: Father, to you belong the seasons and the ages ALL: You are the beginning and the end of all things. Leader: Let us pray, Father, today we begin our time of preparation for the birthday of your Son. We ask You to bless this wreath and grant that as we use it we may receive abundant graces. May this year before us be a gem in the crown which awaits us in our eternal home. We ask this through Christ our Lord. ALL: Amen.

Acclamations
For use every Saturday night. Leader: O Emmanuel, Savior of Israel, you are Gods Son among us. ALL: Come and save us, O Lord our God. Leader: O Wisdom of the Most High god, you rule with gentle might. ALL: Come and teach us the way of prudence. Leader: O Lord of Israel, you gave us the Law on Sinai. ALL: Come with your power to redeem us. Leader: O Flower of Jesses stem, you are the sign of salvation. ALL: Come and deliver us; do not delay. Leader: O Key of David, you open and close by your power. ALL: Come and free us from sin and death.

Leader: O Daystar, you are the eternal light, the sun of justice. ALL: Come and cheer us; dispel the darkness. Leader: O Desired One of the nations, you are the King of peace. ALL: Come and make us one.

Readings
First Saturday of Advent Light one violet candle. Leader: May this light remind us of Jesus who is the true Light of the world. Let us call upon him Whose coming we await, for he is: ALL: God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God. Second Saturday of Advent Light two violet candles. Leader: Father, help us to prepare the way of Jesus, the Light of the world. May we who believe He will come again always serve you. Let us proclaim this mystery of our faith. ALL: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. Third Saturday of Advent Light two violet candles and the rose candle. Leader: Lord, we ask you to penetrate the darkness of our minds so that, filled with your brightness, we may rejoice in your coming, as we say: ALL: Blessed be God forever. Fourth Saturday of Advent Light all three violet candles and the rose candle. Leader: Lord, hurry and come to us. May your light shine in our lives, so that we may be freed from sin. Protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for your coming as our Savior. ALL: For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Christmas Eve Light the white candle(s), violet candles and the rose candle. Leader: Father, we rejoice on this sacred night as we prepare to welcome Jesus, the Light of the world. May the coming of this Light prepare us for the heavenly vision, where we will sing: ALL: Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.