The advent wreath is very symbolic. The circular wreath reminds us of eternity, and that God has no beginning or end. The wreath should always be made of evergreen branches, which never die. This reminds us that Christ was raised from the dead and is alive, never to die again. It also points us to our hope of eternal life in Christ.

Some people put holly berries on the wreath to remind them of drops of Christ’s blood. In our family we place a silk rose on the wreath to remind us of Jesus, the Rose of Sharon. The candles, taken together, remind us of Christ’s light, coming into the world. Each Sunday in advent a new candle is lit. As each week passes, the previous week’s candles are lit along with the new candle, until on Christmas day, all 5 candles burn brightly as a symbol that Christ’s light has come into the world. The primary focus of the candles is on increasing light. As the weeks pass, our expectation and anticipation grows until on Christmas day all the candles are lit and we rejoice. “Joy to the World, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King!”

Each individual candle has its own unique meaning. Traditionally, there are 3 purple candles, symbolizing royalty. It can be hard to find purple candles, so sometimes blue candles, which represent hope, are substituted. There is also one pink candle on the wreath, which is always lit the 3rd Sunday in Advent, and a larger white candle in the center.

Cal blowing out the advent candles last year. As you can see, I had two pink candles instead of one. I couldn’t find enough purple candles, so I used what I had on hand. The symbolism of the different colored candles is nice, but I am not legalistic about it, personally. I do my best and don’t stress over the rest!

On the first Sunday of Advent, which is celebrated 4 Sundays before Christmas, the first purple candle is lit. This candle is traditionally the candle of prophecy, when we remember the many prophecies that were told about Jesus before his birth.

Isaiah 9 is a good passage to read when lighting this candle.

“The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned…”

…For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.”

O Come, O Come, Immanuel is a good song to sing the first Sunday of Advent.

On the second Sunday in Advent, two candles are lit. The second purple candle represents the Angels. An angel appeared to Mary to tell her she would give birth to a son, and an angel appeared to Joseph to tell him this child was conceived by the Holy Spirit. When Jesus was born, the angels appeared in the sky singing praises. A good song for this week might be Angels We Have Heard on High or Hark the Herald Angels Sing.

The third candle to be lit is the pink or rose colored candle. The pink candle represents joy, and the third week we think about the Shepherds who were out in the fields at night when suddenly, we read in Luke 2, an angel of the Lord appeared to them and they were afraid. “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.'” The First Noel would be an appropriate song for this week.

The fourth candle is lit the Sunday before Christmas. This candle represents the Magi, who followed a star from far off to visit the Christ child. They brought him gifts and worshiped him, and returned home by another way rather than betray Him to Herod who was seeking to kill the child. We Three Kings is a great song for this week.

On Christmas Day the final candle is lit. The large white candle in the center of the wreath is the Christ candle. This candle reminds us of the light of the world, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

We read in John 1: 1-5,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.”

The Jesse tree is a neat way to help our children see the continuity between the Old and New Testament. All of the Old Testament points forward to Jesus, the centerpiece of human history.

The Jesse tree takes its name from Isaiah 11:1, which says “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a branch will bear fruit.” That stump is David’s line, and the branch refers to Christ.

Historically a Jesse tree was like a family tree for Christ, but today the term refers to a tree of ornaments which remind us of God’s work throughout redemptive history. Typically these ornaments include something to remind us of the Creation, something for the Fall, something for the Flood, and so on. Each night, a new ornament is placed on the Jesse tree, and an appropriate scripture is read.

Our children enjoy this so much, and it has been very beneficial to them to get a sense of the big picture. Now we often use it twice a year…during the Advent season, when the ornaments culminate on Christmas with Christ’s birth, and again during the Easter season when we use a week’s worth of ornaments to talk about the events of Christ’s betrayal, crucifixion and resurrection.

Some of our ornaments are home-made, some are re-purposed toys and some are actual Christmas ornaments.

This picture shows some of our ornaments…the chocolate coins to remind us of Judas, a lego man in a clay “basket” for baby Moses, a piece of paper cut in the shape of the Ten Commandments, a beaded box with a perfume sample for the woman who anointed Jesus, a playmobil knife for Abraham and Isaac, a lamb to remind us of the Passover, three wise men for Jesus’ birth, a globe for creation, Noah’s ark, a snake for the Fall and a star for God’s covenant with Abraham.

You can also Download colored paper ornaments for your Jesse tree online and print them on paper or cardstock. Here is another site with printable paper ornaments and instructions for various kinds of trees. If you don’t have room for a tabletop tree, there are several alternatives. Some people draw a tree on posterboard and attach their ornaments with tape or velcro to the poster. Many people place a large branch in a bucket of sand and hang the ornaments from that. For you crafty ladies, there are also patterns you can purchase online to sew a Jesse tree wall-hanging or to cross-stitch or embroider the ornaments.

Here is a list of possible scriptures with ideas for corresponding ornaments. Pray about which scriptures to use, and be creative about finding appropriate ornaments. Start out on a small scale and you can add to your Jesse tree from year to year. If you want to do a Jesse tree, but the season is too busy to gather everything together, start next Easter. You can gather ornaments over the next few months and try it out during the Easter season. Then you’ll be all ready to go next Christmas!

The Creation, Genesis 1, a Globe ornament
The Fall, Genesis 3, a toy snake
Noah and the Flood, Genesis 6-9, an ark ornament
Abraham and Sarah, Genesis 12, a star ornament to illustrate the covenant
Abraham and Isaac, Genesis 22, a tiny toy knife hung by a ribbon on the handle
Jacob and Esau, Genesis 27, twins (I use photos of my husband and his twin brother…my husband always points out that HE represents Jacob, LOL!)
Passover, Exodus 12, a lamb
Ten Commandments, Exodus 20, a cutout paper in the shape of tablets
Israel desires a king, 1 Samuel 8, a crown
The Prophets, Jonah, an ornament of Jonah in the whale
The annunciation, Luke 1, an angel
The birth of Jesus, Luke 2, Christmas manger ornament

Depending on the season, you may want to add additional Christmas themed ornaments such as the birth of John the Baptist, three wise men, King Herod, etc.. We usually have a week’s worth of ornaments for the events surrounding Jesus’ birth, which we use during Christmas week.

At Easter, we might use just one ornament to talk about Jesus’ birth and then have a week’s worth of ornaments for his boyhood, his betrayal, last supper, crucifixion and resurrection.

Here are some more ornament and scripture possibilities for Easter week:

Boyhood of Jesus in Egypt, Matthew 2, palm tree ornament
Baptism of Jesus, Luke 3, a dove ornament
Temptation of Jesus, Luke 4, another toy snake
Palm Sunday, Matthew 21, small branch
Cleansing the temple, Mark 11, a small piece of leather to resemble a whip
Jesus anointed, John 12, a small satin box with a sample size perfume spray inside
Judas plots, Matthew 26, a bag of chocolate foil wrapped coins
The Last Supper, Luke 22, a playmobil toy cup or a little plastic communion cup
Crucifixion, Luke 23, a cross
Mystery Saturday, 1 Peter 3: 18-22, no ornament
Resurrection Day, Easter Sunday, Mark 16, an empty easter egg (empty tomb)

The advent wreath is somewhat similar to the Advent calendar, in that it marks the passage of time, from the first Sunday in the season until Christmas day. We light the Advent candles before beginning devotions. The children love the flickering candles and it serves to call everyone together for the start of devotions.

Each Sunday in advent a new candle is lit. As each week passes, the previous week’s candles are lit along with the new candle, until on Christmas day, all 5 candles burn brightly as a reminder that Christ’s light has come into the world. As the weeks pass, our expectation and anticipation grows until on Christmas day all the candles are lit and we rejoice. “Joy to the World, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King!”

Cal blowing out the advent candles last year. As you can see, I had two pink candles instead of one. I couldn’t find enough purple candles, so I used what I had on hand. I am not legalistic about using the traditional pink and purple candles. If I can’t find them, I do my best and don’t stress over the rest!

Advent is celebrated on the four Sundays before Christmas, with the fifth candle being lit on Christmas Day. Each week is an opportunity to focus on a different aspect of Christ’s birth, with appropriate scriptures and songs. Here is one suggestion for family devotions with an Advent wreath.

First Sunday of Advent

On the first Sunday of Advent, which is celebrated 4 Sundays before Christmas, the first purple candle is lit. This candle is traditionally called the candle of prophecy, when we remember the many prophecies that were told about Jesus before his birth.

Isaiah 9 is a good passage to read when lighting this candle.

“The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned…”

…For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.”

“O Come, O Come, Immanuel” and “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” are good songs to sing the first Sunday of Advent. When teaching songs to our young children we take a few moments to recite the words, and then to talk about what they mean. We often sing the same song twice, once at the beginning of our devotions and again afterward. These song remind us of God’s people who waited for their Messiah to come, and of the hope we have as we wait for His return.

If you find you don’t have the words to these carols, or that you don’t know the tunes, check out Cyber Hymnal. You can search from over 7,000 hymn titles to find both lyrics and free midi files with the tune of each song.

Second Sunday in Advent

On the second Sunday in Advent, two candles are lit. The second purple candle is traditionally called the Bethlehem candle. “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Micah 5:2

Luke 2: 1-7, “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

“O Little Town of Bethlehem” or “Once in Royal David’s City” are good songs for this night.

Third Sunday in Advent

The third candle to be lit is the pink or rose colored candle. The third week we think about the Shepherds who were out in the fields at night when suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared to them and they were afraid. “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.'” (Luke 2) The First Noel and Angels from the Realms of Glory would be appropriate songs for this week.

Fourth Sunday in Advent

The fourth candle is lit the Sunday before Christmas. This candle is called the Angels candle. As we light it, we talk about the hope of God’s people which was fulfilled when His Son came to earth as a baby, and about how our hope will be fulfilled again when He returns in glory. “Angels We have Heard on High” or “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” would both be good songs to sing when you light this candle.

Christmas Day

On Christmas Day the final candle is lit. The large white candle in the center of the wreath is called the Christ candle because it is lit on Christmas day. When we light this candle we read verses about how Jesus is the light of the world.

We read in John 1: 1-5,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.”

The Advent wreath can be purchased or made from real or artificial evergreen boughs. Traditionally, it holds 4 candles on the wreath and one in the center.

We arrange our Advent wreath on a circular tray every year so that it can be easily moved. We keep it on the coffee table in the living room, where we celebrate advent nightly. Some families prefer to keep their wreath on the dinner table and light the candles after their evening meal.

I’m not very crafty, so I construct a very simple advent wreath every year. I have four taper candle holders in Christmas shapes…one looks like angels, one like Mary and Joseph, one like the Magi and one like the shepherds. I place these four candle holders in a “square” shape on the tray, and place a flat bottomed tall white candle in the middle of the square. You could even use votive candles.

Then I fill in around the candle holders with artificial greenery.

Traditionally, three candle holders get a purple candle, the fourth gets a pink colored candle. These colors can be hard to find, so I often look for them around Easter time and tuck them away for next year.

As you can see in this photo, I didn’t have the purple candles, so I used burgundy instead. I don’t stress over it. The main point of the candles is that they show the passage of time, as more candles are lit the closer we get to Christmas. The candles remind us that Jesus is the light of the world. As we read in Isaiah 9:2, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”

There are many other ways to make a simple advent wreath out of artificial or real greenery, and an online search will yield instructions for several variations. The most important thing to remember is that the advent wreath is a fire hazard. Take care around young children, and don’t allow the candles to burn down to the greenery. Never walk away from your lit advent wreath for even a moment. Replace candles before they get too low. I have never used fresh greenery, because it is a great fire hazard as it dries out. If you are using fresh greenery, replace it frequently as it becomes dry.

Many Advent Wreaths can be purchased online or in your local Christian bookstore. I got mine one year after Christmas for 75% off. Church Supply has several simple models, including one for less than $10. CBD has several models, as well. Both of these sites sell replacement candles, but make sure you get the right size! Last year I bought candles online and they were too small to fit inside my candle holders.

When and how much to teach about other religions is a sensitive subject. Each parent will need to make their own decision, taking into account the age of their children and the child’s own spiritual maturity.

We live in a culture that is bombarding us–and our children–with the lie that every belief is equally valid, and that each person can have their own Truth. Yet just because someone else believes their religion is true, doesn’t make it so. On the judgment day, those who rejected Christ will find that they were deceived.

In our pluralistic culture I believe it is important to teach children what others believe. I would rather have my children learn this from me than see them encounter it for the first time outside our home.

Helping our kids understand what we believe…

There is another reason to teach children about other religions. We can use these conversations as an opportunity to help our children understand their own beliefs more thoroughly.

I take a spiral approach, teaching in more depth as the children get older and more mature. I have always felt that it is not beneficial to teach children too much about other religions when they don’t yet have a firm grasp of the foundational teachings of Christianity.

With the younger ones, we focus only on a few key concepts. It is vitally important that other religions are not taught in a vacuum. Every word that is taught about another religion should be contrasted with what we, as Christians, believe on the topic.

For example, when we studied India we learned about Hinduism, their major religion. One key point is the idea of reincarnation. I taught the children that Hindus believe people may be reborn as a priest if they are good in this life or they may come back as a weed or a bug if their bad deeds outweigh the good ones. At this point, we paused our discussion of Hinduism to talk about what Christians believe.

Does the Christian believe he is saved because of his good works? Can we stand before a holy God on the basis of our own merit? What does the Christian believe happens to a person’s body and spirit upon death? I suggest asking the children to answer these kinds of questions, and then sum up what the Christian believes with a Bible verse or two on the topic.

Learning about reincarnation was an opportunity to remind the children that all our good works are as filthy rags, and that we are saved through faith in Christ alone. Twenty percent of the conversation was about what the Hindu believes, 80% about what the Christian believes.

As we talk about other religions, it provides an object lesson that can help children understand the freedom we possess in Christ. I asked them to think about how stressful it would be if they carried the weight of their salvation on their own shoulders. As it is, they often feel frustrated with themselves when they struggle with pattern sins. How much worse would they feel if they believed their sins were gaining for them an undesirable next life?

The pressure to perform has been lifted from their little shoulders. Jesus wants us to be obedient, but he knows we aren’t perfect. They are covered in his blood and their sins are paid for. I want my children to see this contrast between the futility of man’s teachings and the loving grace of the one true God.

With my oldest son, I go more in depth. Our curriculum, Tapestry of Grace, takes an approach that I have found helpful for years. We make T-charts comparing Christian beliefs on key issues with that of the religion we are studying. For example, we write Hinduism and Christianity in the two columns across the top of the paper. Down the left side are words such as “authority of scripture”, “salvation”, “afterlife”, and “the nature of God”. I draw heavily on the book Bruce and Stan’s Guide to Cults, Religions and Spiritual Beliefs during these discussions. A sixth or seventh grader could easily read this book on their own in preparation for this discussion. Tapestry also makes it easy for me, including relevant scriptures and key points in my teacher’s notes.

I frequently have my 7th grader take these discussions a step further and write a compare and contrast paper highlighting the differences between Christianity and the religion in question on key beliefs. This helps me to really know whether he understands these key points, and forces him to grapple with the issues.

This is also a wonderful time for him to learn how to use a concordance to begin searching out scripture for himself. I found in his last paper that he chose a scripture verse which did not prove the point he was making. We were able to discuss what the scripture he chose was about, what he was trying to say in his paper, and what scriptures would be more to the point. I want him to learn to use the sword of the Word effectively, and writing a paper with scriptural proofs is excellent training.

Model compassion 

In all of this teaching, we should be compassionate toward the lost. Jack’s paper had a disrespectful tone which conveyed that he thought Hinduism was ridiculous. I want him to recognize that unbelievers are intelligent, thoughtful people who have been deceived. Our children need to learn how to communicate passionate conviction in a winsome way that shows love and respect for the unbeliever.

Last week my children learned that the Buddha taught his followers that freeing oneself from all desire is the key to spiritual enlightenment. Six year old Colin must have pondered that discussion all day. That evening, he asked me: “Mom, if the Buddha could have had three wishes, what do you think he would have wished for?”

“I don’t know,” I replied. “He probably would have had to give his wishes to someone else, since he was not supposed to have any desires.”

Colin’s insight amazed me. He said, “Well, mom, he could have used one of his wishes to ask for enlightenment, but then he wouldn’t get it, because he would have desired it. See why it’s crazy, mom? He wants enlightenment, but he can’t get it unless he stops wanting it.”

“…by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4: 2-6